Josephine “Jo” M. Houle, age 84  of Tomahawk and formerly of Gleason, died Thursday, September 24, 2015 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Tomahawk surrounded by her family. She was born January 11, 1931 in Rhinelander to Oscar and Ida (Haddix) Pence. Josephine was a 1949 graduate of Rhinelander High School. Josephine was united in marriage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rhinelander on September 12, 1953 to Dennis J. Houle. She attended Merrill Normal School and was a 1972 graduate of U.W. Stevens Point, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She began her teaching career at Harrison School in Tomahawk and taught at Newbold and Pelican Elementary Schools in Rhinelander. She spent her entire teaching career teaching first grade, and loved teaching children to read. Jo was a member of the NEA, Wisconsin Teachers Association, Phi Delta Kappa Sorority and the Retired Teachers Association. She was a past member of the Bass Lake Country Club. Jo enjoyed golfing, baking– especially pies, playing cards, crossword puzzles, trivia, and board games. But most of all she enjoyed raising her six children and loved her grandchildren. Jo will be remembered for her unconditional love and her generosity. She will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Dennis Sr.; six children, Dennis (Lynn) Houle Jr. of Rhinelander, Joan (Luby) Sidoff of Crystal Beach, FL, Pam (Mark) Bork of Plover, Rob Houle of Rhinelander, Janice (Bob) Coy of Scottsdale, AZ, and Lori (Brian) Custer of San Jose, CA; fourteen grandchildren, Derik and Devin Houle, Luby Sidoff Jr., Alexis Sidoff, Alex and Juliet Bork, Katie and Kristin Houle, Abby, Mandy, and Sidney Coy and Riley, Christopher and Samuel Custer. Also surviving is a brother-in-law, Jack LaCrosse of Eagle River. Jo is further survived by nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Ruth LaCrosse; one nephew, Robert LaCrosse; one brother, Robert Luther Pence; one half-brother, Cecil Pence, and one half-sister, Dorothy  Viser. Visitation for Josephine will be held Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at the Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until the 12 p.m. (noon) funeral service. Fr. Mike McLain will be officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at the Harrison Cemetery. Memorials that are given will be used to establish a scholarship in her name. This scholarship will be presented to a high school graduate who will be entering college in Early Childhood Education. Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home and Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, WI, 54501, 715-365-4343. Celebrating lives and healing hearts. All are invited to light a candle, sign the guestbook, leave a photo or an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com