James W. Houska

James W. Houska, age 77 of Grafton, ND passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at his home in Grafton.

James W. Houska was born December 3, 1939 in Grafton, ND the son of the late James H. and Mary (Schiller) Houska. He attended rural school near Grafton and graduated from the Northwest Agricultural School in Crookston, MN. Following his education he farmed with his father. James was united in marriage to Lillian Suda on June 13, 1960 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church of Veseleyville. The couple lived and farmed near Grafton until 1967 when they moved to Grafton. In 1977 he started working as a Sales Rep for Montana Dakota Utilities, retiring in 1997.

James was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church where he served as Lay Director and was a Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Grand Forks Elks. James loved working in his yard. He enjoyed playing rummy and enjoyed hunting, trapping and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian, Grafton, ND; his children: Connie Houska, Denver, CO; Gail Watts, Grafton, ND Kris (Dean) Molde, Grafton, ND; and Douglas (Dawn) Houska, Alexandria, MN; seven grandchildren: Brett Watts and his fiancé Lindsey Newton, Derek Watts, Craig Watts (Elizabeth Roller), Madison, Luke, Brooke and Ella Houska; four great grandchildren; his sisters: Marge Novak and Mary Lou Gourde, both of Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Kelly , and brother-in-laws; Edward Gourde and Bernard Novak.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 10:30 A. M. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton. Visitation will be Friday from 4-6 with a prayer service at 5:00 PM at St. John’s Catholic Church. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer memorials to the Altru Hospice-Grafton Division or the Unity Medical Center Foundation.