Harvey Houck

Harvey Jacob Houck, age 92, of Decorah, IA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI after a short illness surrounded by family. A private family graveside service with full military rites will be held in the Burr Oak Cemetery with Rev. Peter Kowitz presiding. He was born in Twining, Michigan on July 3, 1931, to Frank and Stella (Tostenson) Houck. Harvey served in the Army as Sergeant during the Korean War. Later he married Lorraine Bigler on June 4, 1960, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Locust, IA. They were blessed with two children: Rodney and Pamela. Throughout their 57 years of marriage, they loved and supported one another, and mutually enjoyed local history, University of Iowa sponsored Archaeology Digs and many family get-togethers. Another past time that gave Harvey great joy was metal detecting. Through the years Harvey worked as a farmer, mechanic at the Ford Garage, and also as a custodian at the Decorah Community School. Harvey is survived by his daughter Pamela Houck (John Landers) of Galena, IL; 4 step-grandchildren: Sally (Eric) Landers Phillips, Patrick (Ashley) Landers, John Paul (Erin) Landers and Mary (Michael) Landers Gagliardo; 7 step great-grandchildren: Sophie, Mary Clare, Thomas, Mick, Charlotte, Corver and Scout; one sister Margary Gottschling; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Harvey was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine (Bigler) Houck and his son Rodney Houck; his parents Frank and Stella (Tostenson) Houck; two brothers, Wilbur Houck and Charles Houck; two sister-in-laws, Doris (Bell) Houck and Esther (Otteson) Houck; and one brother-in-law William Gottschling.