Joel Mark Houk

About Joel

It is with great sadness that we announce that Joel Mark Houk, 56, of Otsego, MN, passed away and “finished his race” on January 15th, 2025, after a long, courageous battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer.  

Joel was born on October 4, 1968, in Minneapolis, to his parents Marlyn and Audrey Houk. 

After he graduated from Wayzata High School in 1987, he went on to study Business at Normandale Community College.  He graduated with a degree in Marketing.  

As a teenager Joel started with Sears Imported Autos taking great pride as a car washer. He put his position on hold to spend a ski season in Winter Park, Colorado. Upon returning home, Joel returned to Sears Imported Autos and began a career that lasted 30 plus years, employed by the company to do an “on-call”, 24/7, Roadside Technician. 

In December of 1992, while both Joel and Melissa attended Emmanuel Christian Center, Joel gathered the confidence to call and ask Melissa out for a date. During this conversation, Melissa asked, “Now, who are you again”?  Joel somehow survived this early hurdle and they both agreed to meet for a date in January of 1993.  They were engaged in December of 1993 and married in June of 1994.  It was at this time that their “Great Adventure” began.

In 1997,  the next chapter unfolded, Joel and Melissa were blessed with Sam, and in the following years came Abbi, Anna, Nicholas, and Jacob. In 2018, Joel and Melissa also gained a beautiful daughter-in-law, Rachel. In 2024, Joel gave his blessing to Micah Rich to take Anna’s hand in marriage. Being a father was his favorite assignment. Joel’s family was his greatest treasure.

In 2019, Joel completed his career at Sears, wanting to spend more time with his family.  Joel used his time working on various wood-working projects, renovating travel trailers, and performing many handyman jobs for his friends and family. 

He enjoyed serving in the nursery, elementary, and preschool areas of the church. Joel and Melissa served faithfully in this capacity for 27 years. He enjoyed biking, snowboarding, roller-blading, dirt biking, any time he could use a tractor, and many motorcycle trips with his friends and family. His favorite place to visit was Lake Jessie and seeing “The Jessie Gang”.

Joel will be remembered for his kindness, love for other people, his humor ability to make others laugh, his deep profound love he lived out for Melissa and his children, Sam, Abbi, Anna, Nicholas, and Jacob. but most importantly, his love for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He courageously fought this fight, believing in God’s ability to heal him, and witnessed God’s faithfulness throughout this journey. Every caregiver that Joel encountered appeared to be blessed by Joel’s joy and peace through his entire journey. 

He is preceded in death by twin brothers, Stephen and Robert Houk, and by his mother, Audrey Houk.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Melissa. His children, Sam (Rachel), Abbi, Anna, Nicholas, and Jacob. His Father Marlyn (Ardyce), Siblings: Jeff (Mary), Jill (Brent), In-laws Jim (Linda), Sister-in-law Monica (Jeff), Step brother Tom (Marilyn), and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many, many friends.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

January 26, 2025

Bridgeview Assembly of God 20500 County Rd 11, Big Lake, MN 55309, USA

Visitation will take place between 3-4:00pm. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation directly to the family to help with the needs to come. For any questions, please contact Bridgeview Church at 763-263-6274.