Michael Houser, 61
Michael Robert Houser, 61, was welcomed into Heaven on Sunday, August 15, 2010, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Michael Robert Houser, 61, was welcomed into Heaven on Sunday, August 15, 2010, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Michael was born September 30, 1948 in Minneapolis, the second child of Robert and Mildred (Getman) Houser of South Minneapolis. He attended Holy Rosary Elementary School and graduated from DeLaSalle High School in 1966. He attended the University of Minnesota before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1968.
He was united in marriage to Patricia E. Lloyd, daughter of Eric and Mary (Grace) Lloyd, on January 4, 1969, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West St. Paul. Michael served in Vietnam in 1970 as a heavy duty machine specialist. He was also in Thailand in 1973 and was stationed at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota for 15 years, where he was a bomb navigation mechanic on the B52 and B1 bombers. He retired in 1991, at the rank of master sergeant and moved to Alexandria.
He worked as an electrical engineer for several manufacturing companies in the Alexandria area. Michael was very involved in Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle. He was a scout master in Grand Forks, KI Sawyer AFB and Alexandria. For several years, he was commissioner of scouting in the Alexandria area. He guided his grandson, John, through scouting. Together they attended summer camps (Wilderness Camp) and many organized outings with Troop #418, from St. Mary’s Church in Alexandria.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved spending time with his brothers, Chuck and Doug, and his best friend, Dave Bolander. He made an annual hunting trip to Colorado with his cousins, Tom and Jim Martinson. There were many trips to his property near Itasca State Park to relax, hunt and just enjoy the outdoors.
Michael taught gun safety for several years in Grand Forks and the Alexandria area. Fishing was a year-round passion, including winters spent in his second home, his fish house on the ice. Family played an essential part of Mike’s life. They loved to camp, including trips to Yellowstone and Colorado with his children and grandchildren. There were annual Fourth of July celebrations, birthdays, graduations, proms and anniversaries at Chet’s. He loved family get-togethers and sitting on the deck until the wee hours of the morning.
Mike is survived by his wife of 41 years, Patricia; two daughters, Janice Kathryn Houser and Kelly Grace Houser; son, Michael Eric Houser; two grandchildren, Johnathon Steven Kohls and Katelyn Patricia Kohls; three sisters, Gloria (Carl) Spencer, Laura (Russ) Peterson and Susan (Sean) Shand; two brothers, Douglas (Betty) Houser and Chuck Houser; two brothers-in-law, Eric (Stevie) Lloyd and Tom (Mary Kay) Lloyd; two sisters-in-law, Rita Anne Lloyd and Wezi Grecco; 21 nieces and nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, MaryKay.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday, August 19 at Church of St. Joseph in West St. Paul with Fr. Michael Creagan as celebrant. Music was provided by organist and cantor, Dorothy Rech. Burial was at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery with full military honors by the Air Force Honor Guard.
Pallbearers were Matt Lloyd, Pete Lloyd, Justin Grecco, Dave Lloyd, Pat Lloyd, Rob Houser, Corey Houser and Brandon Houser. Honorary pallbearers were Eric Lloyd, Tom Lloyd, Dave Bolander, Doug Houser, Chuck Houser and Tom Martinson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred by the family.
Arrangements are provided by Lind Family Funeral & Cremation Service with chapels in Miltona and Parkers Prairie; www.lindfamilyfh.com.
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Tags: michael houser, obituaries, houser
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