STOCKVILLE — Homer Houser, 74, of Stockville passed away Nov. 24, 2006, in North Platte.

He was born Lyle Homer Houser on Dec. 28, 1931, on the Henry Puls home south of Elwood to Jesse R. and Frieda Hueftle Houser. He was baptized on Sept. 4, 1932.

In grade school, Homer and the family attended Brace School, a small school located Northwest of Elwood in Gosper County, it was such a small school that one year the Houser clan were the only attendees.

At home Homer was a good helper and a quick learner around the farm. He was a natural-born welder and due to a broken wrist, actually learned to weld proficiently using with both his left and right hands, a gift that would come in handy as a civil engineer in the United States Army.

Homer was drafted Sept. 19, 1952, and graduated basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. From there he was stationed in Korea as a civil engineer, where his duties included welding and being the head mechanic of the largest airbase in the country at that time. Having a perfect military record, President Eisenhower asked Homer to represent the U.S. Army at the Armistice Agreement, which ended the Korean Conflict on July 27, 1953. He arrived back in the states just before Christmas in 1953.

Before leaving to go to Korea, Homer met and began corresponding with Delores Jean Wilson. Shortly after returning, they were married on Jan. 21, 1954. To this union four children were born Cherri, Karen, Steve, and Vicki Jo.

In September 1963, a farming accident claimed the life of Delores. On April 3, 1965, Homer married Shirley J. Mills, to this union was born a son, Lyle.

He lived in Frontier County his entire life and purchased his farm and ranch in 1959 near Stockville. He enjoyed telling stories, gardening, and going to singles dances. Homer loved the land he lived on and made many improvements to it using the knowledge he gained in the military. He love to farm and ranch and was a very hard worker. Homer was treasurer for the Frontier County Fair Board for many years.

Mr. Houser is survived by two daughters, Karen Houser of Denver and Cherrie (Landy) Earhart of Stockville; two sons, Steve (Maria) of Curtis and Lyle of McCook; 10 grandchildren, Megan, Joshua, Cody, April, Mathew, Katlin, Kash, Lou Ann, Sean and Elijah; six great-grandchildren, Marrissa, Isaiah, Manuel, Elijah, Abbigail and Kalob; his brother, Cliff of Cambridge; and two sisters, Doris (Albert) of Cambridge and Lillian of Farnam.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Vickie Jo; his brothers, Bob, Rex and Raymond; his first wife, Delores; his second wife, Shirley; and great-grandchild, Elana.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society Heartland Division P.O. Box 241255 Omaha, NE 68124-5255.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blasestrauser.com.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006, at the Frontier County Fairgrounds Community Hall Building in Stockville with CLS Bonnie Brock officiating. Burial of cremains will be at a later date.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel.

North Platte Telegraph, 28 Nov 2006