Harold Dean Houser died at home in Morrill, Nebraska on January 9, 2021, at the age of 81. His memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Jones Mortuary in Mitchell with Pastor Jeff Banks officiating. Inurnment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill, NE. Cremation has taken place and no public visitation will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later time. Friends who wish may view his memorial book at www.jones-mortuary.com. Jones Mortuary in Mitchell is entrusted with arrangements.
Harold was born on July 12, 1939 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to William Henry Houser and Nina Leia (Banta) Houser. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1957 and joined the Navy later that year. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1961.
Harold roofed houses, trained racehorses, and was a ranch hand. Later he was a welder for Holly Sugar Corporation in Torrington, Wyoming and after that a construction foreman and welder for a major national retailer.
Harold enjoyed coaching youth baseball, building birdhouses and later became known for his custom handmade walking canes and sticks. He was a supporter of Cornhusker sports as well as a Colorado Rockies, Avalanche and Denver Broncos fan. Spending time with family and friends always put a smile on his face. He enjoyed organizing and attending wiener dog races with his beloved wife Mary Lou.
Harold is survived by his wife Mary Lou (Helmer) Shields; his children Douglas Edward Houser of Chappell, Nebraska, Diana Lynn (Houser) Peterson of Bellevue, Nebraska, Dean Allen Houser of Toluca Lake, California and Corey Ray Houser of Wheatland, Wyoming; step-daughters Sherry Ann Shields of Morrill, Nebraska, Shelia Louise (Shields) Weber of rural Morrill, Nebraska and step-son Kenneth LaVearn Shields of Castle Rock, Colorado. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren/step-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews; his siblings Florence Darlene (Houser) Hale of Mitchell, Nebraska, Clinton Daniel Houser of Jacksonville, Florida, Nancy Lea (Houser) Howard of Youngwood, Pennsylvania, Billy Joe Houser of Bayard, Nebraska and Kay Allen Houser of Mitchell, Nebraska
He was proceeded in death by his parents; sisters Alice Mae (Houser) Ouderkirk of Morrill, Nebraska, and Annetta Jane (Houser) Murrell of Mitchell, Nebraska.
