Houser, Francis A.

Francis A. Houser, 95, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, by the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus. Interment: Mount Calvary Cemetery. Visitation: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, with a rosary at 3 p.m.

Survivors include his children, Bill Houser and Sharon (Mike) Monnahan, both of Cedar Rapids, Ray (Trish) Houser of California and Kevin Houser of Phoenix; a sister, Rita (Otis) Sebastian of Newhall; a brother, Lumir Houser of Scottsdale, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Angela Houser, Emily (Jeff) Hepker, Kari (Gary) Cooper and Raechelle Lord; eight great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren and one expected.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 71 years, Kathleen, in October 2013; brother, Otto Houser of Newhall; brother, Leonard Houser of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and a sister, Rosemary Maresh of Ely.

Francis was born April 23, 1918, son of Frank and Rose Houser in Walford, Iowa. On June 27, 1942, he married Kathleen Smith at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rock Island, Ill. He was a welder at Universal Engineering for 35 years. He was a member of St. Patrick's Parish for 60 years and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Fran, as he was affectionately known, enjoyed working on cars and lawn mowers, traveling and spending time with his family.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for their compassionate care. They also would like to thank Father Nienhaus and Penny Ackerman and all who prayed for Francis.

Online condolences may be sent to under obituaries.

Published Dec. 20, 2013 in The Gazette