Funeral services for Thomas Houck, 96, of Akaska will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Akaska Community Center. Burial will be at the Akaska Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Tom passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the Walworth County Care Center in Selby.

Thomas "Tom" R. Houck was born on March 26, 1929, in Gettysburg, SD, to Leo Roy and Nellie (Boehmer) Houck. He grew up with a brother and two sisters, Jerry, Barbara, and Kaye. Tom had a unique childhood that was deep routed in the world of cattle. From moving to Kansas when he was 6 for a brief time due to drought, helping with an 800 head cattle drive to Nebraska, and showing beef cattle in 4-H for many years. After graduating from Gettysburg High School, Tom attended South Dakota State University for one year and spent a few years living at the Gettysburg Family ranch, laying the foundation for a lifelong dedication to ranching. He began buying cattle in 1951, a career that spanned nearly seven decades, totaling 69 years, though he was a part of the business until the very end. In 1956, Tom moved from the family ranch to Uncle Dean Boehmer's ranch in Lebeau, and in 1961, relocated the house and barn to their current location west of Akaska, where they still stand tall today. That is known as Houck Ranches.

Tom married JoAnn Krein in Deadwood, SD, on September 24, 1976, after dating since October 1967. Tom was blessed with three children from his first marriage—Susan, Jim, and Mary—and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. JoAnn brought three children—Roger, Rhonda, and Todd—into the marriage, along with their own extended family. For many years he enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo and spent his later days on Houck Ranches overlooking the Missouri River.

Tom's leadership and service were evident throughout his life: he served as President of the Rodeo Association (1997–1998), was on the Stockgrowers Board of Directors for ten years and was honored as Cattle Man of the Year (1997) and Rangeman of the Year (1977). He was Trailboss for the Akaska Trail Ride for many years, a lifetime Mobridge Moose member since 1966, served on the Brand Board for six years (President for two), and was on the Advisory Board for 1st National Bank. Tom was Grand Marshall of the Akaska parade in 2005 and 2016. He owned Houck Trucking for twenty years, operated a feedlot in Onida for ten years, and was involved with Mobridge Yards, Houck Insurance, and Houck Ranches.

Tom is survived by his wife JoAnn (Krein), son Jim (Erna) Houck, daughter Mary Jane (Mardy) Knodel, stepson Roger Krein, stepson Todd Krein, sister Kaye Ingel, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Nellie (Boehmer) Houck, brother Jerry Houck, sister Barb, daughter Susan Walcher, and stepdaughter Rhonda Scharberg.