Joseph Houska

MONTICELLO - Joseph T. Houska, 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2024) at home in Monticello.

He was born Sept. 24, 1932, near Lamont, Iowa, to Peter and Florence (Eschen) Houska.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; their four children, Julie Houska of Naperville, Brian (Susan) Houska of Naselle, Wash., Jeff (Lacy) Houska of Shelbyville and Steve (Barbara) Houska of Eureka, Mo.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Francis Houska of Manchester, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Verna Remling, Erna Goedken, Ethel Sissel and Marie Shearer; and one brother, Peter Houska.

Joe grew up on the family farm near Lamont and was a 1950 graduate of Lamont High School. He was enlisted in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956. After his service, Joe earned a bachelor's degree in industrial education from Iowa State University. On June 3, 1961, Joe married Evelyn DeTar at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Iowa City, Iowa.

Joe taught at Dundee High School for four years. He then obtained both a master's degree in votec education and his doctorate at the University of Illinois while teaching industrial arts at Champaign Central High School for 29 years. In 1970, with fellow Champaign Central teachers, Joe built the family home on Treasure Lane outside White Heath, where the family lived for 53 years. After 33 years of teaching, Joe retired to home and family duties.

Joe loved his family and Central High colleagues dearly. He was a member of the Monticello St. Philomena parish. Joe was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones fan and a member of American Legion Post 101 (and commander for two years). He enjoyed penning many letters to the editor to The News-Gazette and Piatt County Journal-Republican on various topics.

Joe thoroughly enjoyed helping others with their home or school projects and had a talent for woodworking, electrical work and gardening. As Gpa Joe would say, "It's been a good life!"

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at Mackey-Wright Funeral Home, 215 E. Washington St., Monticello. A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at St. Philomena Catholic Church, Monticello. Interment with military rites accorded will be at Ingram Cemetery, White Heath.

Memorials may be made to Hamm-Burke American Legion Post 101 or St. Philomena Catholic Church. Condolences may be offered at mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.