Nellie Houska, 93, of Mitchell, SD, died Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, July 23, 2021 at Downtown First United Methodist Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Prospect Cemetery in Wessington Springs, SD. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Thursday, July 22, at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Nellie Elaine Houska was born July 16, 1928 to Henry and Minnie (Judstra) Spaans in Corsica, SD. She attended country school for 8 years and graduated from Corsica High School in 1946. Nellie then attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD and taught country school in the Corsica area.
Nellie was united in marriage to Raymond Houska on December 30, 1948 in Corsica. Together they farmed in the Pukwana, SD area until 1967. Later, they moved to Wessington Springs, SD where they farmed until 2002 when they sold their farm and moved to Mitchell. In Mitchell, Nellie was a member of The First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Tuesday Quilters, James Valley Community Center, and Disabled American Veterans.
Nellie enjoyed quilting, crocheting, embroidering, playing cards, and visiting with those that stopped in to see her. Above all, she loved spending quality time with family and friends.
Nellie is survived by her son, James (Bernice) Houska of Mitchell, SD; daughter, Linda (Steve) Thompson of Wessington Springs, SD; grandchildren: Michelle (Jeff) Tong of Miller, SD, children, Kaci, Kayla, Dylan, and Austin Schimke; Eric (Jill) Thompson of Tea, SD, children, Brayden, Blake, and Lauren Thompson; and Ryan (Jennifer) Thompson of Tea, SD, children, Peyton, Oakley, and McKenzie Thompson; and sisters-in-law, Norma Spaans of Salem, SD and Pat Kenzy of Platte, SD.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; parents, Henry and Minnie; brothers, Albert and Robert Spaans; sister and brother-in-law, Henrietta (Bernard) Yutrzenka; parents-in-law, Joseph and Christine Houska; brother-in-law, Ralph Houska; and sister-in-law, Marcella Meier.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to United Methodist Women or Tuesday Quilters out of Mitchell, or Prospect Cemetery in Wessington Springs.