Dennis Theodore Houska, 86, of Springfield, Missouri, formerly from Hartville, Missouri passed away on July 12, 2018 from complications of a stroke he suffered on January 26, 2018.

Dennis was born to the late Willard and Fern Houska on May 2, 1932 in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Dennis worked on the family farm in Chamberlain, South Dakota. At the age of 17 he enlisted into the National Guard, then enlisted into the United States Navy from 1952 to 1955. He served aboard the USS Toledo during the Korean conflict. He also studied animal science at Cal Poly in Pomona, California. Dennis was united in marriage to his beautiful wife, Virginia Bee Crump on September 14, 1963.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Ginny; 5 children: Charles (Marina) Houska of Stilwell, Kansas, Cheryl Foraker of Olathe, Kansas, Mike (Jan) Houska of Belfair, Washington, Debbie Houska of Springfield, Missouri, Kim Houska Allen of Springfield, Missouri, and Suzanne Jones of Springfield, Missouri, who was like a daughter to him; his sister Dixie Lloyd of Chamberlain, South Dakota, 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren whom he loved so much. Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Willard, mother, Fern, and his brother, Daryle Houska.

Dennis was a loving husband to Ginny, and they had 54 great years together. He always wrote her love letters and bought her flowers. They enjoyed their nightly walks together. When asked why they didn't walk on the sidewalk instead of the edge of the street their answer was because they wanted to walk side by side and the sidewalk wasn't wide enough. He was a great father to his kids and would do anything for them.

Dennis and his family moved from California to Hartville, Missouri in 1966. He delivered propane, worked at the grocery store, and worked for the phone company for several years. He and his wife owned Houska's Handi Mart for several years. He was known and loved by many. He worked the last 20 plus years at the National Guard Airport as a groundskeeper, which he loved doing. He retired from there at the age of 82.

Dennis was one of a kind. He loved to talk to anyone. In the short five months he spent at Glendale Gardens Nursing Home, he left a lasting impression on everyone there, just as he did with everyone he met. Ginny was his life, and they spent every visit at the nursing home singing, "You Are My Sunshine."  A special thank you to Jackie and Evelyn Arnall, and to Janetta Jones Cole. He thought the world of you all and was very happy when you visited him.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to St. Jude's Hospital.