Charles H. Houge, age 92, passed away March 8, 2025.
Charles and his wife Lois resided in La Crescent until moving to Canby in 1962. In 1988 they moved to the Twin Cities, and upon retirement in 2008, moved to Northfield, Minn.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents Gehardt and Gladyne, brother John and infant sister Janaan.
Charles is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Lois; his children Mark (Anne), Eric, Paul (Tammy), Tim (Debbie), Sara (Nate) Risser and John (Susan); his grandchildren Lauren, John, Elliana, Dawson, Karis, Zachary, Talia, Austin (Sydney), Jordan, Madison, Cole, Jake, Noah, Gabe, Luke, Jimmy, Joel and Greta; sister Ahna Marie (Jeff) Burow, and other loving family and friends.
Charles (or Chuck, as his friends called him) grew up in Houston, Minn., and was very active in sports. He attended college at St. Olaf College, transferred to University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he obtained a degree in industrial engineering. He joined his father Gehardt in the business G. Houge and Son Custom Builders in La Crescent, Minn. Chuck and Lois moved to Canby where Chuck was one of the first faculty members of the Canby Vocational School where he taught Architectural Drafting. He continued to build homes during his time as a vocational schoolteacher and obtained a Master’s in Counseling from South Dakota State University.
Following the graduation of Chuck and Lois’ youngest child they moved to the Twin Cities to build homes full time. While building homes in the Twin Cities he became very involved in Habitat for Humanity, and led many projects sponsored by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Chuck’s passion was helping his clients build the home of their dreams and supporting his family to be successful at whatever they chose to pursue.
He was a loving husband, father, brother and friend who enjoyed talking with everyone he met. He loved woodworking and stained glass projects as well as spending time with family, in particular his 18 grandchildren at the family’s cabin at Lake Cochran in South Dakota. Chuck always remained positive no matter the challenge, had a smile on his face, and often said “Dear God, you steer and I’ll pedal.”
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2025, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, Minn., with a visitation starting one hour prior to the service, and lunch will follow. Private family inurnment will follow the lunch. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Condolences at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com/obituary/charles-houge.