Clifford Houser

Clifford Houser

March 31, 1935 - Oct. 9, 2024

ELWOOD, Neb. - Clifford Houser was born to Jess and Freda (Hueftle) Houser on March 31, 1935 in Rural Gosper County, Neb. near Plum Creek. He attended Stowe Country School through the eighth grade.

Clifford was married to Verna Raye Brown in 1957 and later divorced. Cliff worked for his family’s Hereford operation alongside his dad and brothers south of Eustis, Neb. and later operated his own Hereford Ranch north of Cambridge, Neb. until around 1980. He then worked for the Central Alfalfa Mill east of Lexington, Neb. as a truck mechanic and mill operator until it closed. Cliff then moved to Seneca, Neb. and worked as a ranch hand before returning to Frontier County in 1986 to work for Albert and Fred Farr on their ranch north of Cambridge for the next 17 years. After he retired and moved to town, he still spent almost every day helping his boys farm and ranch north of Cambridge.

Cliff was very passionate about singing and operated the “Happy Go Lucky” country/western band for over 20 years. He also loved raising watermelons, teaching his numerous grandchildren how to fish, going deer hunting with John W. Puls, and raising and taking care of cattle.

Cliff passed away early Wednesday morning, Oct. 9, 2024 at the Elwood Care Center. He was 89 years of age.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father along with his sisters, Doris Farr (Albert) and Lily Donner (Argil); brothers, Robert, Homer, Rex, and Raymond “Speedy”; along with his daughter, Susan and daughter-in-law, Karen Houser.

Cliff is survived by his children: Clifford J.R. Houser (Sharon) of Eustis, Michael Houser (Sonjia) of Elwood, Marjorie Richard (Howard) of Edmond, Kan., Douglas Houser (Peggy Stonerook) of Cambridge, Angie Castro (Sam) of Greeley, Colo., and Terry Houser (Amanda) of Slater, Iowa; his grandchildren include: Nicole Conner (Dan), Andrew Houser (Amy), Mitch Houser (Riley), Jennifer Martin (Tony), Travis Houser (Carley), Tyler Houser, Megan Houser (Zach VanHorn), Amber Nuttycomb (Todd), Crystal Barton (Joseph), Charlie, Marshall, Dalton, Rainer, and Marie Houser, Darryn Houser and Hannah Castro, Hank, Clay, and Luke Houser; step-grandchildren include: Cody Richard, Kirk Richard (Charla), Kyle Richard (Amber), Linda and Jackson Stonerook; great-grandchildren include: Adison, Daenen and Adrian Conner, Harper and Hayden Houser, Emma, Owen, Grace, and Miles Houser, Dayne and Claire Martin, Lacie, Wyatt, and Lincoln Houser, Flynn and Jaycee Houser; step-great-grandchildren include: Levi and Alex Richard, Kaelyn and Brandon Richard, Justin and Landon Richard. Cliff is also survived by his very special friend, Winona Barker of Lexington as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Oct. 15, 2024 at the Eustis Fair Building in Eustis, Neb. Burial in the Eustis East Cemetery will follow services.

Memorials are suggested to the family of Clifford Houser for future designation. Online condolences may be left at lockenour.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lockenour-Jones Mortuary of Cambridge.