George David Woodhouse

After a short battle with leukemia, God called home one of His most selfless and caring servants on March 3, 2021, with the passing of George David Woodhouse.
George was born to Lloyd and Idell Woodhouse at their home in Epworth, Iowa, on Dec. 11, 1947. He was the youngest of the couple’s seven children.
As a young man, he enjoyed working alongside his father and pitching in wherever he could. George graduated from Western Dubuque High School in 1966. From there, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served our country in Vietnam.
A time after he came home, friends of his took him on a date that would change his life. He met Mary Jane James, whom he proposed to on their first date. The couple were united in marriage on Nov. 20, 1971.
George and Janie had two children, Tammy and Steven. Through the years, George’s focus was always on caring for his family. He always put his wife and children ahead of himself.
His favorite pastimes included baking his legendary “easy and delicious devil’s food cake”, chocolate chip cookies and other sweet treats. Each Christmas, friends, family, neighbors and anyone who asked would receive plates or bags of treats that included fudge, peanut butter balls, sugar cookies and peanut clusters. Beyond the desire to share and put smiles on people’s faces, George enjoyed the quality control aspect of baking. He would claim he had to “make sure everything was safe” every year with a smile and a wink.
He never knew a stranger and was always glad to share a conversation. In his later years, after Janie’s passing in 2015, he continued to make new friends wherever he went. Even when he was alone, he was always happy entertaining himself with Western or Comedy movies, puzzles, and as many televised Chicago Cubs baseball games he could catch. He was an avid Cubs’ fan, even when they lost. Watching wrestling with his family, live or on television, was another thing he enjoyed – especially rooting for the “bad guys”.
Those who knew George knew he was an upbeat, go with the flow kind of person who was often smiling. He enjoyed referring to himself as “pretty” or looking into any mirror he passed and saying, “Oh you doll, you” to make himself and others laugh. He lived on the bright side of life and would try to bring anyone he could into his light.
After a short battle with leukemia, the Lord put an end to his suffering on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at the age of 73.
George was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and wife. He is survived by his daughter, Tammy (Mike) Courtney of Oskaloosa; son, Steve (Marcy) Woodhouse of Reasnor; granddaughter Brittney (Josh) Klein of Knoxville; grandson Joel Courtney of Oskaloosa; great-grandchildren Chileigh and Bjorn; several extended family members and countless friends. He is greatly missed.
His body has been cremated. A private family burial of his remains will be held at a later date. Winfield Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.