David T Houser, 92, of Hillsboro, MO, died August 24, 2026. He was born June 28, 1934 in Alamosa, CO to Denver and Esther (Schurdel) Houser.

Dave’s strong work ethic began in junior high when he delivered newspapers for the Courier. In high school, he became a Civil Air Patrol cadet, an auxiliary organization of the US Air Force. During his senior year, he was one of three US cadets selected as exchange students who spent three weeks touring Spain, including Barcelona and Madrid where they saw a bull fight. Dave also developed an interest in photography while in high school and worked for Mr.Rikki in his photography studio at 906 Main St.

Upon graduation from Alamosa High School in 1952, Dave was offered a 4-year academic scholarship to any college or university in Colorado. Dave chose Adams State College where he studied with two outstanding professors in chemistry and physics, Dr. Tommy Thompson and Moe Morris. While attending ASC he was a lab assistant in both chemistry and physics and was the school photographer. After graduating from Adams State College, Alamosa, CO, with a triple major in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, David worked at the Hanford Nuclear Power Plant in Richland, Washington (the site that produced the plutonium for the Manhattan project). While there, his employer sent him to get a master’s degree in crystallography.

While Dave was in high school, he felt called to ministry and in 1959 he responded to that “call”, left the Hanford Plant and entered Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, IL. While there, he worked part-time in the Springfield Memorial Hospital laboratory where he met Mona Mueller, a laboratory technologist.

Dave and Mona were married in June 1963, and after he graduated from the seminary, they served as missionaries in Papua New Guinea from 1963 to 1973, first at Papayuku and then at Walapim. He then pastored Lutheran Churches in Hardwick and Troske, MN, for 3½ 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 the Jefferson County Republican Central Committee and Jefferson County Republican Club and was chaplain for the St. Francois Senior Flight Civil Air Patrol. Dave 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. Dave 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 his brother Ronald Houser. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Christian Outreach Church, Hillsboro, MO. d

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, 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.

Celebration of Life:

SEP 13. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (CT)

Christian Outreach Church

4430 Outreach Dr.

Hillsboro, MO 63050