A supportive wife, outstanding mother and grandmother passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, in her home at Harmony Assisted Living Center. She was born Mathilde “Jane” Whitehead, in Canton, Illinois, on February 13, 1925, to parents Raymond and Arminta “Dorcas” Whitehead (nee Ross). While attending college at the Illinois State Normal College, she met the love of her life Ralph John Houghton. The two were married in 1946 and moved to Kenosha in 1955. They had five children. With a Bachelor’s Degree in education, Jane was a keyboarding instructor at Tremper High School and later at Gateway Technical College. She retired in 1987. Jane was well known for hosting entertaining parties at her and Ralph's former residence on 7th Ave. The original Band Booster Ice Cream Socials were held in their front yard. Jane was a singer, and performed in many harmony groups over the years. Through the 1990’s she sang with The Sweet Adelines, a senior woman's chorus. Jane and Ralph were instrumental in the creation of the Kenosha Band Shell. She loved family, and was always there for her children and grandchildren, traveling to see them, looking after them in whatever way she could, doing fun activities, and watching the Packers with them. Jane is preceded in death by her father and mother, husband, daughter Mary (James) Erickson, son-in-law John (Kathy) Spiro, and close cousin Renick Ross. She is survived by her sons John (Janey) Houghton, David (Koreen) Houghton, and Steve Houghton, daughter Kathy Spiro, and cousin Janet Ross. Also surviving are sixteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Our matriarch, she will be greatly missed. The Houghton family would like to thank the staff of Harmony and the Hospice Alliance for their love and care during Jane's final years. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 18th, at St. Mark's Catholic Church at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be private at St. James Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Hospice Alliance would be appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Jane's Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com