Elsie G. Houston; Retired Teacher

Elsie G. Houston, who taught at Colfax Avenue School in North Hollywood for more than 20 years and was active with a local garden club, has died at a North Hollywood hospital. She was 85.

A longtime Sherman Oaks resident, Mrs. Houston died Saturday of complications of recent surgery, said her daughter-in-law, Tristan Houston of Morgan Hill, Calif.

Born Elsie G. Bruene in Gladbrook, Iowa, she taught elementary school in Iowa from 1926 to 1940 before moving to California in 1946. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Los Angeles and taught in the late 1940s at Rio Vista School in North Hollywood. In the 1950s, she transferred to Colfax Avenue School, where she taught until retiring in the mid-1970s.

Mrs. Houston was a longtime member of the Laurel Garden Club and a member of the PEO Sisterhood Chapter GZ since 1975.

She is survived by her son, Sam Houston, and a grandson, Timothy Houston, both of Morgan Hill. Her husband, Sam Houston, died in 1980.

A memorial service was held Tuesday at First Christian Church of North Hollywood, where she had been a member since 1947.

Pierce Brothers Valhalla Mortuary in North Hollywood handled the arrangements. Donations can be made in Mrs. Houston’s name to First Christian Church of North Hollywood or to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.