Milo Houlihan 1924-2022

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Milo David Houlihan peacefully passed away on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, at his home in Hastings, with loved ones by his side. He was 98 years old.

He was born May 12, 1924, to Timothy and Helen (Gutzmer) Houlihan and attended school in Lane, South Dakota.

On June 18, 1947, he married the love of his life, his little sweetheart, Betty Ballard, at the priest’s house in Woonsocket, South Dakota, and together raised their 4 children.

Milo owned and operated store which had a single gas pump and was the local postmaster in Cuthbert, South Dakota until the war ended. Upon selling the store, he moved the family out to Rapid City, SD to work at department store where he also got to be the store’s Santa Claus. Eventually he moved the family to Sioux Falls, SD where he worked for Sears Roebuck & Co.

Wanting to start a different occupation where his technical skills could better be utilized, he moved the family to Pipestone where he began working for the Central Natural Gas Company where he was then transferred to Hastings, MN in 1970. Milo became certified as a Master Plumber, eventually owning and operating ‘Houlihan Plumbing and Heating’ until the early 2000’s.

Milo traveled as much as possible with Betty and enjoyed wintering in Texas.

“Boppy” square-danced for over 60 years and loved fishing. He loved to fix things himself and was the go-to handyman for his family and friends. He spent a lifetime doing projects for others and teaching anyone who would listen all types of handyman skills. If he wasn’t out around town bicycling or swimming, you could alwaysfind him singing karaoke at the Legion on Friday nights (or serenading the neighbors in his garage). He loved to attend all his family’s activities. Boppy loved his grandchildren and family. His friendly spirit will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Betty; children, Patricia Hardy, Linda (Robert) Sommers, Michael (Jackie) Houlihan; grandchildren, Shelly (Dick) Szurek, Rick (Maggie) Sommers, Kris Weber, Michael (Melissa) Schackel, Joe (Wendy) Sommers, Leah (Dan) Cunningham, Jennie Houlihan, Lisa (Matthew Gaffney) Houlihan; great-grandchildren, Jamie (Matt), Jake (Jilian), Lawrence (Dominika), Matthew, Jaylynn (Brandon), Josh, Noah, Sophia, Luke and Serenity; and his greatgreat grandchildren, Kaelyn and Dilynn; he is further survived by other relatives and friends.

Milo was preceded in death by his parents, Timothy and Helen Houlihan; his siblings, Dorothy, Doug, Hope, and Eddie; daughter, Karen Coughlin; and grandchild, Katie Coughlin.

A private interment will take place in Hastings.