Margo Ardell Houpt

Margo Ardell Houpt, 83, of Venice, Florida, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully surrounded by family on October 24, 2025.

Margo was born on April 15, 1942, in Nevada, Iowa, to Charles Fletcher Mead and Margaret Agnes Niland as “Margaret” Ardell Mead. Born weighing just four pounds, her mother and namesake decided the name was too large for such a tiny baby and changed it to Margo Ardell Mead. She was the fifth and youngest daughter of Fletcher and Margaret Mead.

Margo spent her childhood in Nevada, Iowa, where she grew up alongside her best friends—her nephews, Bob, Jerry and Mort Dodd. Shortly after graduating high school, Margo married William Peavey and spent the 1960s through 1980s in Anaheim, California. She raised her beloved daughter, Kerri, there.

Margo met her sweetheart, Mike Houpt, in 1975. They married on November 6th, 1976 in Anaheim, CA.

From the 1980s until 2012, Margo and Mike lived outside Nashville, Tennessee, before settling in Venice, Florida, where they have spent the past 13 years. Her nephew Jerry later joined them there. A self-proclaimed sun worshiper, Margo was happiest near the beach.

At the age of 20, Margo welcomed her daughter, Kerri, who became the true joy of her life and one of her very best friends. Their bond was filled with laughter, love, and deep friendship that carried through the years.

Margo is survived by her loving husband, Mike Houpt, and her cherished grandchildren: Justin Olsen (Christina), Tiffany Wiberg (Jess), Ashley Peterson, Kaylee Brimhall (Clark), and Lindsay Likes. She was blessed with fourteen great-grandchildren who brought her endless joy, as well as many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Kerri Leigh Kabela, her parents, Margaret Mead (Niland) and Charles Fletcher Mead, and her sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Dodd, Gretchen Noring, Nancy Mead, and Virginia “Ginny” Macdonald—all of whom she held dear in her heart. What a sweet reunion it must be for her now, together again with her loved ones in eternal peace and joy.

Margo spent much of her career as a pharmacy technician and earlier worked for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in Southern California. She was known for her thoughtfulness, her love of shopping, and the joy she found in spending time with friends and relaxing by the beach. She loved music and declared Elvis as “the best”.

She was deeply loved by her neighbors and by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her warmth, laughter, and genuine heart will be remembered always. She loved animals and always had a cat in her home—her current companion, Bubba, will miss her immensely.

A celebration of life will be held in February to honor Margo’s memory and the beautiful legacy she leaves behind.