Obit: Houts, Rev. Albert E. (1938 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Balz, Bruce, Bunkelman, Bunkelman-Houts, Drew, Frasier, Heiser, Hoffman, Houts, Joswiak, Kalepp, Markee, Molter, Schroeder, Stern, Wiskerchen

----Source: The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home (Abbotsford, WI) 1/06/2018

Houts, Rev. Albert "Al" E. (7 FEB 1938 - 4 JAN 2018)

Rev. Albert "Al" E. Houts, age 79, of Abbotsford, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at his residence under the tender care of hospice.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford. Rev. Donald Bruce will officiate. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at the church.

Al was born on February 7, 1938 in Rice Lake, the son of Robert and Nadine (Frasier) Houts. He graduated from Rice Lake High School and St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Al taught English in Gaylord, MI and Brainerd, MN. He then graduated from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and served parishes in Decorah, Iowa, Black River Falls and Iola. Al then was called to be an interim pastor in Edgar and Neillsville before retiring from Trinity Lutheran Church in Unity in 2017.

On August 24, 1958, Al was united in marriage to Ruth Molter. She preceded him in death on May 27, 2013. On January 12, 2014, he was united in marriage to Janice Bunkelman (Kalepp) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Unity.

Al enjoyed taking canoe trips to the Boundary Waters in MN and volunteering at the High Ground in Neillsville. He also was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan, former member of the Lions Club and a voracious reader. Al, most importantly, cherished his family.

Al is survived by his wife, Janice Bunkelman-Houts of Abbotsford; four children: Rachael (Dave) Drew, Birchwood, MN, Bob (Jackie) Houts of Owen, Scott (Debby) Houts of Omro and Becky (Steve) Markee of Black River Falls; two additional step-children: Russell (Sheri) Bunkelman and Cindy (Randy) Wiskerchen of Stratford; nine grandchildren: Aubrey (Mike) Schroeder, Ashley (Ben) Heiser, Laura Drew, Evan Drew, Aaron Drew, Taylor (Derek) Joswiak, Hayden Houts, Savannah Markee and Madison Markee; six step-grandchildren: Brandon (Amanda) Bunkelman, Garett (Katie) Bunkelman, Macey Bunkelman, Tony (Aneesa) Balz, Tanner Balz and Cole Hoffman; two great-grandchildren: Grace and Jolene Heiser; three step-great-grandchildren: Aubrey Bunkelman, Taven and Piper Balz. He is further survived by his sister, Barbara Stern of Rock Falls, IL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Nadine and his first wife, Ruth.