LouOra Houk

Dates

Obituary

LouOra Maude Houk, 96, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Friday, September 12, 2025, at Avera Brady Health & Rehab in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, September 20, at First United Methodist Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery in Mitchell. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7:00 PM at the church.

LouOra Maude Busk Houk was born June 3, 1929, to Milo and Veva (Johnson) Nelson in Mitchell, SD. She spent her childhood growing up on a farm north of White Lake with her parents and older brother, Myrle.  She attended Patten Consolidated School for nine years and graduated from White Lake High School at age 16, in 1946.  LouOra graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing and Dakota Wesleyan in 1950 and 1951, followed by postgraduate work in obstetrics at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in Jersey City Medical Center, New Jersey. She was an Obstetrics Supervisor and teacher in the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. In 2012, she was honored by DWU in receiving an honorary Doctorate for her many years of dedication, teaching, and service. 

LouOra married Robert Busk on October 7, 1955, in Mitchell. Three children joined their family: Douglas, Barbara, and Byron. After a short illness, her husband Robert passed away in 1985.  On July 6, 1989, she married William Houk and gained three more children, Bruce, Kathy & Becky.  In their retirement, Bill & LouOra traveled to all 49 states and all over the world for 17 years until Bill’s passing in 2006.   

LouOra was an active member of the First United Methodist Church. She served on many boards and offices at church and United Methodist Women, taught Sunday School, and was on the board of Wesley Acres for 18 years. LouOra was active in various organizations, including the Round Table Club, Yesteryear Antique Club, PEO Chapter BK, Methodist Hospital Nurses, and Dakota Wesleyan Alumni. She also spent over 40 years enjoying quilting with the Tuesday Morning Quilters of the Methodist Church. 

LouOra is survived by four children, Doug (Linda) Busk of Troy, MI, Barbara (Andrew) Galarneau of Waxhaw NC, Byron (Thelma) Busk of Dell Rapids, SD & Becky Fogarty of Avon, SD; grandchildren, Michael Busk, Jennifer Speicher, Victoria, Kaitlin, Sophie Galarneau, Felix Busk, Kala Aragon, Chris and Steve Zaugg, Leah Poole; 11 great grandchildren; daughter in-law, Debbie Houk; son in-law, Roger Hoffman; sister in-laws, Jan Nelson & Renella Busk.   

She was preceded in death by both her husbands, parents, brother, Myrle Nelson; stepdaughter, Kathy Houk Hoffman; and son, Burce Houk.

Memorials can be directed to the United Methodist Church (stained glass window restoration project) & DWU Nursing Department.   

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