Merwin Charles Houger

Merwin Charles Houger went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 28, 2023 at the Lincoln County Hospital in Davenport, WA. He was born on April 1, 1928 to Roosevelt “Ted” and Lena (Mangis) Houger in Spokane, Washington. He was joined five years later by his sister Joycelyn. He spent all of his 94 years at Creston, Washington. He grew up on a farm near Creston and attended the Creston School all twelve years graduating from Creston High School in 1946. He attended Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon for two years. He and his longtime friend and high school sweetheart Elaine (Mitchell) attended college together. They were lucky to get there! He told of traveling to Eugene in an old decrepit car there and back. The next year, he upgraded so their traveling worries were less. On June 27, 1948 he married Elaine at the Creston Christian Church in a ceremony officiated by his father-in-law Ernest I. Mitchell, who was the church minister at the time. He and Elaine started their lifelong livelihood of ranching and farming at the Mangis homestead south of Creston. He said his first crop yielded about 2 bushels per acre and the following year the average was up a bit more - 10 bushels. He recalled using one of the first subsoilers invented by Bob Zimmerman from Almira. It had the steel wheels that were later replaced with rubber tires. He fondly remembered his first combine that is still around. At the time of his death, he was living at the Striegel Place, which he had purchased in the late 1950’s.

Merwin and Elaine raised five children. He anxiously waited for a son but had to wait a bit before he was blessed with one. Elizabeth was born in 1949, Janice’ in 1951, Anita in 1953, Loren in 1957, and Kevin in 1961.

Merwin was a hardworking man who believed that God expected him to be the best steward he could be of what he had been given. He modeled good work ethics and honesty to his family. Serving the Lord and attending church was a priority as he helped instill a faith in God in others. As a young man, he had made a confession to accept Jesus into his heart at a summer youth retreat and was baptized at the Creston Christian Church shortly after that. He was a member of the Creston Christian Church, was a conservative Republican, was part of the Creston Alumni Association, served on the Soil Conservation District, and helped out with the Boy Scouts.

Merwin and Elaine enjoyed several trips together that included Israel, Norway, and Southern Africa. He had a keen desire to serve in an orphanage in Lesotho, South Africa and did so three different times for several months. While at the children’s home, he did a lot of maintenance work and spent time with the people sharing God’s Word. He has blessed many people and organizations financially to help them meet their needs.

Merwin loved things in nature. . .the wildflowers, the different animals, a beautiful night sky. He was an avid reader and shared his reading material with others. He loved chocolate, with a special liking to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. He enjoyed eating marshmallows and might get up in the night to have one of those large s’more type ones. Ice cream was a favorite treat. He had a sentimental streak and often thought someone should take an old “historic” relic and revive it for their own uses.

He was preceded in death by his wife Elaine and his brother-in-law Jim Madden. He is survived by his sister, Joycelyn Madden from Creston, all five of his children, Elizabeth (Robert) Rose from Creston, Janice’ (Jim) Moule from Grass Valley, California, Anita (Bob) Sieg from Hartline, Washington, Loren (Colleen) Houger and Kevin Houger, from Creston. He is survived by fifteen grandchildren: Brian (Stacey) Rose from Delta, British Columbia, Shelby Rose from Bozeman, Montana, Lisa (Tony) Yoder from Creston, Jason Moule from Grass Valley, California, Jalaine (Troy) Morgan from Wilton, California, Aaron Moule from Grass Valley, California, Sean (Bekah) Moule from Nashville, Tennesee, Jacob (Emilie) Moule from Charleston, South Carolina, Heidi (Aaron) Lee-Sieg from West Valley City, Utah, Nicholas Sieg from Cheney, Washington, Grady Houger from Creston, Chelsa (Dan) Wood from Liberty Lake, Washington, Emily (Marcus) Dingman from Coulee City, Washington, Aubrey Houger from Spokane, Washington, and Isaac Houger from Spokane, Washington. He has eighteen surviving great grandchildren: Kaelen Rose, Takeyla Rose, Morgan (Bridger) Gordon, Cody Rose, Tristen Rose, Jordan Yoder, Elijah Yoder, Kolby Morgan, Kaden Morgan, Matthew Moule, Abigail Moule, Daniel Moule, Dominique Wood, Chloe Wood, Elliott Dingman, Willa Dingman, Kai Dingman, and Olly Dingman. He has three great, great grandchildren surviving him: Evalette Farley, Maddox Farley, and Kaine Gordon.

Services for Merwin Houger will be held in Creston on Saturday, February 4. There will be a viewing at 9:00 at the Creston Christian Church, a graveside service at the Creston Cemetery at 10:00, a Celebration of Life at 11:00 back at the church with a luncheon following in the fellowship hall. (There will also be a viewing on Friday, February 3, at Strate Funeral Home in Davenport, WA. from 2:00 – 4:00.) Pastor Guy Schmielau will be officiating the services.

Those wishing to give memorials may consider the Creston Christian Church, the Creston Cemetery District, the Creston Alumni Association, or another organization of the donor’s choice.

Strate Funeral Home has been caring for the Houger family