Douglas Dean Houlton

IRETON, IOWA ~ Douglas Dean “Doug” Houlton, 72, of rural Ireton, Iowa, went to his eternal home on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at Unity Point Health St. Luke’s in Sioux City, Iowa.

 Visitation with the family will begin at 3:30 p.m. Monday, October 14, at the Ireton Community Center and continue through a catered meal which will be served from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Harlan De Jong, Rev. Barb Joy, and Rev. Samuel Ansong officiating. The Porter Funeral Home is assisting the family. 

 Doug’s family prefers memorials to be directed to the West Sioux Athletic Booster Club or the West Sioux FFA.

 Douglas Dean Houlton was born May 11, 1952, in Le Mars, Iowa to Charles and Helen (Johnson) Houlton of Ireton, Iowa. Doug went to his eternal home on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the age of 72 years at Unity Point Hospital under Comfort Care having fought a brief battle with cancer. Doug was a very loyal person to the community. He was a member of the Ireton United Methodist church where he was currently serving as chairman of the board. He had also served as Lay Leader, Youth group leader and trustee. He was currently serving on the Ireton Community Foundation Board and Rural Community Fire Board as trustee. In the 70’s he served on the Sioux County Pork Producers. He had also served on the Ireton Booster Club, Iowa State Bank Community Board, Northwest Iowa Board of Realtors, West Sioux Athletic Booster Club and Sioux County Zoning as well as numerous others. 

 Doug began as an Auctioneer and Realtor for Beyer Auction & Realty and was currently a Realtor for CENTURY 21 Pro Link in Le Mars. He also had his own auction company Houlton Auction Service. He did various charity auctions over the years for organizations, schools, fundraisers and more. 

 Doug was a member of Sioux County Ducks Unlimited, Sioux County Pheasants Forever, Sioux County Sportsmen’s Club, Iowa Auctioneers Association, National Auctioneers Association, West Sioux Athletic Boosters, West Sioux Music Boosters, Sioux County Cattlemen’s Club, Sioux County Farm Bureau and more. 

 In 2014 Doug was honored to be nominated as the Ireton Citizen of the Year. 

 Doug married Sue (Larsen) of Maurice, Iowa on November 30, 1974, and made their home on the Houlton Century Farm where they were blessed with 2 children: Dawna and Dustin.

 Doug is survived by his wife Sue Houlton; their children and their families, daughter, Dawna and Jim Stangel of Sioux City, Iowa and their children, Matt Stangel and fiancé Abbi of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Hannah (Goldsmith) and Brandon Brotherton of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, Josh Stangel of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Kate Stangel of Chicago, Illinois, and Chloe Goldsmith and friend Jacob Wohlert of Sioux City; son, Dustin & Rachael (Driesen) Houlton of Ireton, and their children, Charles Houlton, Oliver Houlton and Lilly Houlton of Ireton; brother, Bruce and Janet (Larson) Houlton of Earlville, Iowa; siblings-in-law, Don Eisma of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Jerry and Helen (Zomer) Larsen of Maurice, Tim and Cindy (De Jager) Larsen of Maurice, Cindy Larsen of Sibley, Iowa, Lori (Larsen) and Chris Scott of Longmont, Colorado, and Matt Larsen of Golden, Colorado; step-mother-in-law, Joyce Larsen of Hawarden, Iowa; a very special friend, Dr. Dan Anderson at the UNMC; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

 Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Helen Houlton; parents-in-law, Jim and Loretta Larsen; sisters, Elaine Skogman and Kay Eisma; and brother-in-law, Chuck Skogman

 Doug will be remembered for his sense of humor, honesty, caring, giving, faithfulness, and helping others in need. Feeding cattle was his passion and he enjoyed going to athletic events, especially to watch his kids and grandkids.