Dale Houstman

Dale Francis Houstman was born July 31, 1962, in Duluth, Minn., to Francis Houstman and Lois (Short) Houstman Bester.
He graduated high school from Duluth East in 1980 and earned a BS degree in wildlife management in 1984 from Eastern New Mexico University.  He served two years in the Peace Corps in (what was then) Zaire, Africa.
Dale moved to Custer, S.D., to work for the Forest Service in 1988, where he fell in love with the Black Hills. In 1994 he went to work for BNSF Railroad, where he worked in maintenance-of-way, and as a conductor, and then as an engineer for 29-1/2 years.  
He married Tammy Walker in January1999.
Dale loved the outdoors and music. He competed in numerous marathons and loved camping, hiking and traveling. He and Tammy bought several RVs over the years and had epic vacations all over the country, annually meeting up to camp with Tammy’s brother, Scott; wife, Jan; and Alex, Ethan and Chrissy, their children. Dale and Tammy had plans to live in and travel the country in their motorhome upon his retirement, before eventually settling into their condo in Duluth, Minn.
In September 2023,  a few months before retiring, Dale began experiencing weakness in his right arm.  This progressed to complete paralysis of the arm followed by his left arm and right leg. In April 2024 he was diagnosed with ALS.  He died July 15, 2024 at the age of 61.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Lois; his stepfather, Bill Bester; two brothers, Bob Houstman and David Houstman; and stepsister, Mary Ellison.  
He is survived by his wife, Tammy; two sisters, Janice Houstman Wittwer of Duluth and Karen Bester  of Lakeville, Minn.; stepsiblings Bill (Cheryl) Bester, Jr., Bonnie (Jim) Castonguay, Jackie (Brad) Edgerton, Dan Bester, Jim (Darci) Bester and Barb (John) LeGarde; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
Dale chose not to have a funeral service.  Instead, he wanted to say goodbye to friends, family and loved ones while he was alive.  His humor, work ethic and courage will be remembered by many.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.