It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thadius A. Houser, Jr. of Howard, South Dakota, who left this world on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in Howard at the age of 90.

A funeral service to honor Thad's life will be held at 2:00 PM, with family present to greet friends beginning at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home – downtown, located at 507 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A reception will follow to celebrate his life. Thad will be laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in Chamberlain, South Dakota, beside his beloved first wife, Norma Jean Houser, where he will forever be remembered and cherished.

The funeral Service for Thad will be livestreamed to Miller Funeral Home's YouTube page. To watch the funeral live, please click on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/KmyYaFGTGvc?feature=share

Thad was born on May 9, 1935, to loving parents Thadius A. Sr. and Lillian Matilda (Peters) Houser on their family farm near Fort Hale Bottom in Lyman County, South Dakota. He was one of 12 siblings, growing up in a close-knit family that instilled in him strong values of hard work and perseverance.

Thad dedicated the majority of his life to farming on the family farm before finally retiring in 1997, a testament to his determination and deep love for the land. His commitment to his work reflected his character—steady, resilient, and devoted.

On June 25, 1955, Thad married his beloved Norma Jean Isburg in Chamberlain. Together, they welcomed two sons, Thad Allen and Dale, and built a life filled with warmth and love. Tragically, Norma passed away in 1989, leaving a void that could never truly be filled. Two years later, fate led Thad to marry Judy Ann Krauter, embracing her three sons and one daughter, Marlin, Mark, Aaron, and Melody as his own. Sadly, Judy also left this world in 2002. In another chapter of his life, Thad married Dorothy Elaine DeBelts on November 16, 2003, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who brought even more joy into his life as well as additional stepchildren: Holly, Carol, and Daniel.

Thad cherished spending time in nature; he found solace in rodeos, hunting, and creating lasting memories with his family. However, it was his passion for farming that truly defined him and shaped his life's journey.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Dorothy Houser of Howard, SD; his son, Dale (Amy) Houser of Kimball, SD; and stepchildren Aaron and Mark Hensley, Holly J. Anderson of Sioux Falls, Carol (Cory) Reif of Salem, SD, and Daniel (Jeni) Valient of Sioux Falls. Thad's legacy also includes nine beloved grandchildren—Aubrey (fiancé Dylan Benne), Justin (Casidy) Reif, Jayden Reif, Timothy Anderson, Heather Anderson, Nickolas Valient, Madison Valient, Clinton Houser, and Clifford Houser—as well as several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who carry forward the love he shared.

Thad is now reunited with his parents, Thadius and Lillian; his siblings; his first wife, Norma Jean; his second wife, Judy Ann; his son Thad Allen (Allen) Houser; stepson, Marlin; stepdaughter, Melody; and her husband, Mark; and his great-grandson, Bohdi Dean Benne. He is deeply missed by all who knew him.

A funeral service to honor Thad's life will be held at 2:00 PM, with family present to greet friends beginning at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home – downtown, located at 507 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A reception will follow to celebrate his life. Thad will be laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in Chamberlain, South Dakota, beside his beloved first wife, Norma Jean Houser, where he will forever be remembered and cherished, at a later date.