Gerald Francis Houle

Gerald Francis (Jerry) Houle was born on August 29, 1937 in Williston, North Dakota, the second of seven children born to John (Jack) and Mildred (Carson) Houle. He graduated from Williston High School in 1955. On December 30, 1961, he married Edith Olson in Williston.
Jerry graduated from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy in 1962 and was a 50-year, lifetime member of the North Dakota Pharmaceutical Association. He did his pharmacy internships at Irgens Drug in Williston and at San Carlos Pharmacy in San Jose California. He had the privilege of serving as master of ceremonies for the President's Banquet at seven State Pharmacy Conventions.
He and Ede moved to Beach in 1962, where he worked for Steve Sleight at Sleight's City Drug. In 1966, he purchased the business and it became Houle's City Drug in "downtown metropolitan Beach, North Dakota." He was also the consulting pharmacist for Golden Valley County Hospital. He sold the business to White Drug in 1990 and then worked in their Glendive, Montana store. Prior to his retirement in 2003, he also worked for F&G Pharmacy in Glendive and for New Salem Pharmacy.
Jerry was very active in business and civic organizations and was master of ceremonies for a number of local talent and variety shows. He served on the Golden Valley County Fair Board and the Beach Park Board. In the early 1960's, he was a member of the Beach Roping Club, participating in "tie-down" team roping. He was crowned Miss Golden Valley County in the early 1970's, edging out Don "Fats" Abernathy for the title.
He took a year off from the pharmacy and helped Vince Nistler build his home in the country. Vince gave him the "opportunity" to hand trowel concrete for 44 steel bins. While working in New Salem, he spent weekends working with Marman Construction, where he did carpentry, brick work, rock work, concrete work, black masonry and water and sewer. After his retirement from pharmacy, he worked at Smith Creek Ranch and Sperry Horse Ranch. He was involved in fencing, corral building and general ranch maintenance. While working for Sperry's, he traveled with Robert to horse shows in Indianapolis, St. Paul Horsefest, North Dakota Winter Show, Minot, Bowman and Glendive. He maintained the "Booth" while Robert competed in the shows. He also rode "shotgun" for Paul Schmitz, delivering lumber for Prairie Lumber Company throughout southwest North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. In this capacity, he sampled caramel rolls in most of the regional dining establishments. He also hand crafted 44 signs for railroad ties for various area ranches, most of which can be seen while traveling north of Beach on Highway 16. He retired completely in 2018.
Despite never playing high school or college sports, he was very active in amateur sports. He played and sponsored or coached amateur softball, basketball, football, sand volleyball, team penning, "c' boy polo," a row-ride-run event, and broomball. At age 50, he took up ice hockey. He enjoyed downhill, cross-country and waterskiing. He also played some golf and tennis.
Despite only playing a very leaky, soldered, rented baritone for one year and being proudly unable to read music, he organized and played bass drum in the Golva-Beach Precision All Clown Marching Band. They marched in parades in Beach, Golva and the State Finance Convention in Medora. At the Beach 75th reunion, they marched and played a concert in Railroad Park. He was also a founding member, along with Kent Olson and Bernie and Melissa Schillo, of the Beaver Creek Dance Band. They played on weekends for several years. Jerry played drums, stand-up bass, electric bass and trash can bass. He also played with a spin-off band, Alkali Flats. They played at weddings, anniversaries, reunions and summer weekends on the patio at Buffalo gap Guest Ranch west of Medora.
Jerry died peacefully, at home, October 24, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ede (Olson) Houle, his daughter Cathy (Todd) Shirek of Hettinger, North Dakota and their children Michael and Emily, and his son Mike (Sona) Houle of Bismarck, North Dakota and their children Megan, Hannah, and Davis. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, in-laws and a wide circle of friends.
And the "drugstore c' boy" rode away.
Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.