Thomas Houck

Thomas “Tom” R. Houck, 96, of Akaska, passed away on February 15, 2026, at the Walworth County Care Center in Selby.

Born on March 26, 1929, in Gettysburg, South Dakota, to Leo Roy and Nellie (Boehmer) Houck, Tom grew up immersed in the cattle world alongside his brother Jerry and sisters Barbara and Kaye. His childhood included moving to Kansas at age six because of drought, helping with an 800-head cattle drive to Nebraska, and years of showing beef cattle through 4-H. After graduating from Gettysburg High School, he attended South Dakota State University for one year before returning to the family ranch, where he began buying cattle in 1951. That marked the start of a remarkable 69-year career in the cattle business that continued until the end of his life.

In 1956 Tom moved to his Uncle Dean Boehmer’s ranch in Lebeau, and in 1961 he relocated the house and barn to their present site west of Akaska, establishing what became known as Houck Ranches. He married JoAnn Krein on September 24, 1976, in Deadwood after dating since October 1967. Tom was blessed with three children from his first marriage—Susan, Jim, and Mary—and was a loving father to JoAnn’s children Roger, Rhonda, and Todd. Together they shared a large and loving family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Throughout his life Tom demonstrated quiet leadership and deep commitment to his community and industry. He served as president of the Rodeo Association, spent ten years on the Stockgrowers Board of Directors, and was honored as Cattleman of the Year in 1997 and Rangeman of the Year in 1977. He acted as Trailboss for the Akaska Trail Ride for many years, served on the Brand Board, and was a lifetime member of the Mobridge Moose. He also owned Houck Trucking, operated a feedlot in Onida, and was involved in Mobridge Yards, Houck Insurance, and Houck Ranches. In his later years he enjoyed annual trips to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas and peaceful days at the ranch overlooking the Missouri River.

Tom is survived by his wife JoAnn (Krein), son Jim (Erna) Houck, daughter Mary Jane (Mardy) Knodel, stepsons Roger Krein and Todd Krein, sister Kaye Ingel, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jerry, sister Barbara, daughter Susan Walcher, and stepdaughter Rhonda Scharberg.