Ashley Frances Houim was born in Rugby on Oct. 4, 1994, to Dave and Nancy (Heilman) Houim. She died from injuries in a motor vehicle accident on Sunday, June 17, 2012, six miles northwest of Rugby.
Ashley attended Little Flower Catholic School through sixth grade and recently completed her junior year at Rugby High School. Ashley was a member of the cheer team for the past three years, enjoyed participating in one act plays and this year completed her hunter safety certification. Academically, she enjoyed American Sign Language, psychology and sociology classes.
Her family remembers how Ashley always ended her day with a late night snack and oh how she loved her chocolate! Amber, her younger sister, enjoyed their "make over days" and fondly called her "Sissy." Before she got her driver's license, Josh was often the one who gave her a ride, and as years went by, the one she could always go to for brotherly advice. And, no matter what type of day it had been, before heading to bed at night, Ashley always said to her mom, "Good night, sweet dreams, I love you."
Ashley is survived by: her mom, Nancy; her brother, Joshua; her sister, Amber, all of Rugby; her maternal grandparents, Ray and Rosanna Heilman, of Portage, Wis.; many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her dad, David (May 1, 2010); her sister, Abby (May 31, 2001); and her paternal grandparents, Virgil and Frances Houim.
It is only fitting to pay tribute to Ashley with lyrics from one of her favorites since childhood, The Backstreet Boys:
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Never gone, never far
In my heart is where you are
Always close, every day
Every step along the way
Even though for now we've gotta say goodbye
I know you will be forever in my life
Never gone
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Mass of Christian Burial: Will be held Thursday, June 21, at 11 a.m, in Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby, with burial in the church cemetery, Fr. Tom Graner, Celebrant.
Visitation: Will be today, June 20, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby, and Thursday, June 21, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby. There will be no reviewal in the church on Thursday.
Rosary and vigil prayers: Will begin at 7 p.m. today in the church.
Arrangements with Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby.