David T. Houser, 92, of Hillsboro, Mo., died Aug. 24, 2026. He was born June 28, 1934, in Alamosa, Colo., to Denver and Esther (Schurdel) Houser.
After graduating from Adams State College, Alamosa, Colo., with a triple major in mathematics, chemistry and physics, David worked at the Hanford, Wash., nuclear site before entering the Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Ill., in 1959. While there he worked part time in the Springfield Memorial Hospital laboratory where he met Mona Mueller, a laboratory technologist. They were married in June 1963 and after his graduation from the seminary they served as missionaries in Papua New Guinea from 1963-1973, first at Papayuku and then at Walapim. He then pastored Lutheran churches in Hardwick and Trosky, Minn., for three and a half years before moving to Hillsboro, Mo., in 1977 to be a part of Christian Outreach Center and the Christian Outreach School of Ministries. He worked for Binder and Son Lumber Co in Wentzville, Mo., and then Hill-Behan Lumber Co in the greater St. Louis area. He served as elder at Christian Outreach Church, Goldman, Mo., and taught Bible, mathematics and civics at Christian Outreach School. He was a Jefferson County election judge, was a member of Jefferson County Republican Central Committee and Jefferson County Republican Club, and was chaplain for the St. Francois Senior Flight Civil Air Patrol.
He took great delight in his children and their families, marveling at God’s grace in their lives. He loved to share with people about Jesus – that Jesus actually speaks with us and when we are yoked with Him, He makes our burdens light.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mona Houser, daughter Anne-marie Scott (Michael), son Philip Houser (Aimee), son William Houser (Rochelle), son Christopher Houser (Heather) and daughter Elizabeth Ehlen (Paul); brother Paul Houser (Connie), sister Judith Gritz (Richard), sister-in-law Patricia Houser; and grandchildren Kelsea, October and Brenna Scott, Carah, IdaMae, Josephine, Rosalynne, Alexander, Adam (Jalynn), Anna, Nathan and Claire Houser, and Noah, Ruthanna, Esther and Rebecca Ehlen.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Ronald Houser.
Celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at Christian Outreach Church, Hillsboro, Mo.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Christian Outreach Church, Christian Outreach School or Disability Resource Association, Festus, Mo.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) – Come to me to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
John 10:27-28 (ESV) – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
