Terry Houghtaling, 75

Terry Reid Houghtaling, 75, of Redfield SD, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025, with family by his side at Community Memorial Hospital.  As per his wishes, he was cremated and a graveside service with Military Honors will be held on October 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Rockham Grace Cemetery. Paster Keith Kraft will officiate the graveside services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

Terry was born in Redfield to Don and Velma (Carter) Houghtaling on October 5th, 1949.  He attended Redfield Public School until the 10th grade, when his family relocated to Mitchell, SD, where he graduated high school.

He was drafted into the United States Army (where he was a medic) to fight for our country during the Vietnam War.  Once he was discharged from the Army, he went to work at the State School in Redfield.  Career changes were made and Terry moved to Aberdeen, SD, to work for Control Data.  It was in this career change that Terry met his lifelong best friend “Sam”. Control Data transferred Terry to Los Angeles, CA.  He would spend the next 5 years in L.A, when a job opportunity was offered at Seagate Technologies in Eden Prairie, MN, where he retired in 2016.

While working for Seagate, Terry was given many opportunities to travel abroad.  Many of his travels would take him to Bangkok, Thailand and Malaysia.  He was known as “Mr. Terry” to many of the locals. In Malaysia, he met another one of his best friends, Candy.

Terry moved back to Redfield to be closer to family. Terry and his sister Sheila would spend 6 months at his home in Palm Springs, CA to avoid the South Dakota winters.

Terry never met a stranger who didn’t become a friend.  He was the kindest soul to anyone and everyone.  If you needed a shirt, he’d give you two.  Until his last breath, he was worrying about everyone else. Don’t cry for me “Argentina”!

He was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion Organizations.

Terry will be sorely missed by his sisters; Marcia (Chub) Mapes and Sheila Robertson. Nieces and nephews; Traci (Mark) Frey, Chad (Erica) Robertson, Cory (Robyn) Hoesing, Dawn (Jay) Whitley, Nikki Hoesing, TJ (Jamie) Campbell, Rick (Katelyn) Hoesing, as well as many great nieces and nephews, all his cousins, friends, and special friend Candy.

Preceding him in death are his parents Don and Velma Houghtaling, best friend Sam, and many aunts, and uncles.