Former Elma resident LouAnn Sutten Houle passed away at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Lacey, Washington on May 19, 2025. She was 70 years old.

LouAnn was born on May 24, 1954, at the old Elma General Hospital in Elma, Washington, to parents Charles Gordies Sutten and Dora (Rice) Sutten. There she was raised and graduated from Elma High School before eventually leaving the area and moving to Bellingham in pursuit of higher education at Western Washington University. Then in 1979, she relocated to Portland, Oregon and earned her Masters in Religion, as well as majoring in Sacred Music from Warner Pacific College. In 1983, she moved back to Grays Harbor and began teaching both children’s and adult music ministry in Montesano.

LouAnn met her beloved husband, Clement Houle, and they were married on June 2, 1984 and remained residents of Montesano as LouAnn continued her music ministry at the Alder Grove Church in Aberdeen. They welcomed their first and second sons in 1986 and 1991. Clement and LouAnn moved to Elma in 1994 to begin Senior Ministry at Elma Church of God, where she served for nearly 25 years as their Senior Pastor. After 35 years of employment with the P.U.D. in Aberdeen, Clement retired and in 2018, LouAnn retired, as well. After Clement’s death in 2019, she continued to live in Elma until moving to the Panorama retirement community of Olympia in November 2023.

LouAnn loved spending time with her husband and family. She also enjoyed reading, singing and playing piano as well as other music instruments. She lived her life to teach Christ, preach Christ and reach others for Christ and shared his love in everything she did.

LouAnn is survived by her sons, Philip Houle of Tumwater, Washington and Ben (Valerie) Houle of Lacey, Washington; her sister, Anita Sheneberger of Des Moines, Washington; brothers, Charles (Sharon) Sutten Jr. of Chantilly, Virginia and Bruce (Tobi) Sutten of Elma; brothers and sisters in-law, Lucie (Tim) Chamberlain and Bernie (Eulia) Houle; as well as two wonderful grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

She is preceded in death by her dear husband, Clement Houle; parents, Charles and Dora Sutten; her parents-in-law, Roger and Angele Houle; sister-in-law, Mary Houle; and their unborn baby Houle.

A celebration of life is planned for June 20, 2025 at 2 p.m. at the Montesano Church of God.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary.