Michael EDWARD HOUSER

HOUSER, HENDERSON, SIMON, KUEBLER, KRIENERT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/20/2006 at 18:20:51

Wright County Attorney Mike Houser passed away suddenly while spending Thanksgiving vacation with his wife and children in Mexico. His death was due to an apparent heart attack, Wednesday, November 27. Houser was 42 years old. Houser was known to many as a man of the highest caliber, always involved in community projects and working for the betterment of his community and those whose lives he touched. He served as a role model for others. In his fifth year as Wright County Attorney, Houser ran for reelection in the November race, garnering over 3,000 votes. When asked why he chose to run for the office again, Mike said, "I really enjoy the work, I find it very rewarding." Even as the case load increased, Mike enjoyed the people and agencies he worked with and was proud of the service he helped to provide the people of Wright County. Many days were long, but Mike continued to work diligently to provide safety and security for residents. Wright County Board of Supervisor’s Chairman, Conrad Kleppe began the board meeting Monday, honoring Houser and paying tribute for the fine work he had done throughout the past five years. "He is a man we will all miss," said Kleppe.

A Belmond native, Houser graduated from Belmond High School in 1978. He graduated from Marquette University in 1983 and received his law degree from Drake University in 1986. Following graduation, he returned to Belmond and joined his father, Jim Houser and Gary Berkland at the Houser and Berkland Law Firm. Houser was serving his third term as a member of the Belmond-Klemme Board of Education and had been elected to serve as president several times. Houser had been active in the Belmond Fire Department, Jaycees, and Toastmasters. He was a long time emcee of the July 4 grandstand show and fireworks display. He was a member of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church where he taught youth education and served as a lector. He was an Eagle Scout and served as a leader of his son’s scout troop. In 1991 Houser was named Jaycee of the Year and in 2000 was honored by the Jaycees with the Distinguished Service Award.

Houser is survived by his wife, Holly; son, Brendan a fourth grader; daughter, Megan a third grader and parents, Jim and Betty Claire Houser. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, with a scriptural service at 8 p.m. and rosary to follow.In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be directed to the Belmond Public Library, Belmond-Klemme Scholarship Fund #2, Belmond Fire Department, or Holt Children’s Services.

December 5, 2002
© Wright County Monitor 2002

Michael Edward Houser, 42, of Belmond, died on Wednesday, November 27, 2002, in Cozumel, Mexico.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, December 5, at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Belmond, with Father David Beckman and Deacon Nick Schmit officiating. Burial was in the St. Francis Cemetery. Graveside Law Enforcement Rites were by the Iowa State Patrol Honor Guard. Alan Mattison played Taps. Lectors were Robert Simon and Sheri Baum. Eucharistic ministers were Jodi Pentico, Jeff Pentico, Julie Jonas, and Stephen McLaughlin. Gifts were Molly Ann Kuebler, Jennifer Houser, Susan Houser and Deborah Krienert. Altar servers were Kelsey Mallen and Mackenzie Mallen. Music was provided by Janyce Kluss and Eldoris Bunnell, organists and Cyndy McNulty and Maxine Whitty, cantors and Gerald Kintzi, soloist. Ushers were John Fogarty, Kevin Fogarty, Shawn McLaughlin, Brian Fogarty, Jim Kieffer, Steve Dougherty, Michael Fogarty, Bill Maske and Randy Dougherty. Signature book was in charge of Donna Saylor. Casket bearers were Jim Houser, Bruce Kuebler, Roger Krienert, Don Baum, John Houser, Robert Simon, Judge Stephen Carroll, John Jonas, Bryan Funke, Thomas Houser, Scott Simon, Tom Stadtlander and Bart Saylor.

Michael, son of James E. and Betty Clare (Henderson) Houser, was born on June 11, 1960, in Des Moines. The family moved to Belmond in 1961. He was a high school exchange student to Chile and an Eagle Scout. He graduated from the Belmond High School in 1978. Michael attended the University of Iowa where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and the University of Iowa Old Gold Singers. In 1983 he graduated with honors from Marquette University, Milwaukee, with a BA in Interpersonal Communications. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree from the Drake University Law School in 1986. Michael married Holly Simon on October 24, 1987 in Belmond. He practiced law with his father and Gary Berkland at the same location where Michael's grandfather, Roy A. Henderson, also practiced law. Michael was finishing his first term as Wright County Attorney and had been elected to a second term in November 2002. Michael was serving his third term on the Belmond-Klemme School Board and was twice President. He was an officer in the Belmond Jaycees and a recipient of the Outstanding Jaycee Award and the Distinguished Service Award. He was a retired member of the Belmond Fire Department and Toastmasters. Michael was a long-time emcee for the July 4th grandstand show and fireworks display and Bosses' Night Awards Banquet. He was a member of the selection committee for the North Iowa Area Community College Performing Arts and Leadership Series and a NIACC Adjunct Professor. Michael was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where he was a lector, catechist, cantor and member of the parish council. Michael was a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, National District Attorneys Association, Iowa County Attorneys Association, and Wright County Bar Association (Past President). He was Past President of Young Lawyers Division, ISBA, and Past Chairman of YLD Bridge the Gap Committee. Michael served as a coordinator for the ISBA Traveling Seminar. He mentored the Belmond-Klemme mock trial team.

Michael was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roy and Gladys Henderson, and Paul and Dorothy Houser. Survivors include his wife, Holly; two children, Brendan, 10 and Megan, 8; and his parents, all of Belmond; two brothers, John (Jennifer) Houser and daughter, Emma, of Cedar Rapids and Thomas (Susan) Houser and children, Charlie and Clare of Des Moines; a sister, Molly Ann (Bruce) Kuebler and children, Barry, Michael, and Clare Marie, of St. Louis, Missouri; mother and father-in-law, Robert and Verda Simon, of Des Moines; brother-in-law, Scott Simon of Des Moines; and sister-in-law, Deborah (Roger) Krienert and children, Grant, Dan, and Ben of LeMars.

December 12, 2002
©Belmond Independent 2002