Richard Houselog

RICHARD HOUSELOG was born to Walter and Ethel (Stout) Houselog on November 28, 1943, in Pipestone, Minnesota, where he was baptized at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. He attended high school in Pipestone when he enlisted in the Naval Reserve. Shortly thereafter, he changed course and joined the US Marine Corps in July of 1961. He was stationed in Hawaii until March, 1964, when he became interested in the Military Police and began his career as a Marine Security Guard in Iceland. He spent a year in Iceland and was transferred to Munich, Germany where he met his wife Heidrun 'Heidi' Gollwitzer. They were married on April 12, 1966, and came back to the United States and finished his first enlistment, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star among other decorations. Richard finished his military career in Germany in June of 1984 after approximately 23 years of active duty. He then managed various military clubs in Germany until returning to Pipestone in 1996. He was employed as a security guard at the Royal River Casino in Flandreau, South Dakota. In June, 2003, he accepted a position as a jailer/dispatcher with the Pipestone County Sheriff’s office. Later, he moved to Flandreau. On Friday, June 30, 2017, Richard died at his home in Flandreau at the age of 73 years, seven months and 22 days.

Richard was very proud of his military career, but even more proud of his children and grandchildren. Richard was a connoisseur of beers from around the world and had an extensive collection of beer steins. Richard was a kind and generous person and when his friends needed anything, he was there.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Heidi Houselog of Bayreuth Germany; two children, Monika (Stefan) Marks of Celle, Germany, Nicolas (Atalanta) Houselog of Brooklyn, New York; four grandchildren, Chiara Marks, Celina Marks, Sophia Houselog and Juliette Houselog; three sisters, Kathryn MacFeeters of Pipestone, Barbara McCane of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Patricia (Richard) Stiller of Roanoke, Virginia; one brother, Thomas (Cindy) Houselog of Pipestone; one special friend, Harriet 'Freddie' Boyd of Flandreau, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ethel Houselog, and his brother, Dennis Houselog.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Freddie for the compassion and care she gave to Richard through these last years.