Meet Rita Merchant, Chelsea DeBoer’s stepmother and wife of her father Randy Houska. Behind Chelsea’s new show Great house was announced, fans wondered if her dad would star in the show. And who is he married to now?
Let’s get to know Rita through her article, in which we will explore details about her age, work, and more.
Meet Rita Merchant, wife of Randy Houska
Rita Merchant is the wife of Randy Houska. According to Rita’s FB, they were married on August 3, 2009 at Chapel in the Hills in Rapid City, South Dakota during the 2009 protests. They reportedly met in 2006 at Rita’s parents’ house when they were both going through a personal crisis.
“A few months later, it led me into the loving arms of Rita Merchant Houska, who was also walking that path,” Randy wrote on his FB. “Our paths crossed and we both learned about unwavering love, complete trust, and the joy of living.”
On their most recent wedding anniversary in August 2022, Randy posted on his FB, “Time flies when you’re having fun. It seems like in the blink of an eye, 13 years have passed since, for some reason, Rita married me. Chapel on the Hill is where we hang out with family and friends, then hop on our Harleys and hit the road. Adventures aren’t done, they’re extended, and ours is never-ending. I can’t wait to see where the next road leads, it’s sure to be sweet because we’ll be together.”
Teen Mom 2 fans remember Randy Houska as Chelsea DeBoer’s father. He appeared on the show and advised her as a new mom. Supportive as ever, Randy promoted his daughter on Twitter, “Don’t forget to tune in to @hgtv tonight at 8pm CST for season 1 episode #DownHomeFab!!”
In Vermillion, South Dakota, Randy Houska, a dentist, is the owner of Houska Dental Clinic. In 1989, shortly after graduating from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, he founded his business with a small, tight-knit group of people committed to the pursuit of excellence in dentistry.
Additionally, Randy has worked since 2023 at New Horizon Dental Center in Tempe, Arizona. He is also a board member of the Vermillion Chamber and Development Company and is a past president of the St. Agnes School Board, Rotary, United Way of Vermillion, and Knights of Columbus.
Chelsea is the star of her own new show. Great house.
Do Rita Merchant and Randy Houska have children?
Rita Merchant and Randy Houska do not have children together but they do have children from their previous marriages/relationships. According to Famous BirthdaysRandy is the father of six children. Four of the six children are Teen Mom 2 star Chelsea Houska and her three older sisters; Melissa, Angie and Emily, who rarely appear on the MTV reality show.
Randy’s daughter, Emily, is the mother of three children; two daughters, Braylee and Malea, and a son, Kysen, born in 2019. She got married in 2020 and works as a corrections officer. Another daughter, Angie, is the mother of a son named Noah and a daughter who welcomed a baby boy named Elijah in August 2017, making her a grandmother.
Melissa is a married woman. Her husband, Eric, is in the military. They have a daughter named Isabelle. They also lived in Germany for a short time.
Like Randy, Rita also has children from a previous marriage. She has a daughter named Mandi Graves Mueller and a son named Jesse Graves.
Mandi is the mother of three sons and one daughter. Her eldest son turned 12 in November 2020, her second son Gavin turned 10 in December 2022 and her youngest son is just 6 years old and celebrated his birthday on January 3, 2023.
Rita’s son Jesse lives in Yankton, South Dakota and has been married to Katie Graves since July 25, 2015.
Rita Merchant Age
Rita Merchant was born in January 1958. So in January 2023, she is 65 years old.
Rita Merchant’s work
Rita Merchant is a businesswoman who currently runs her own business called Rita’s of Yankton/Custer. Her business focuses on providing “beautiful flowers, home decor for all tastes, and reclaimed furniture restored with beautiful pastel paints.”
They also have a wide selection of purses, jewelry, a variety of baby and toddler clothing, accessories, decor, and sunglasses. They also offer other services such as ear piercing. The store is located in two different locations; downtown Yankton, SD & a seasonal store located between Hill City, SD & Custer, SD with a store called Boyd’s Antiques.
The business also has an online presence. Here is their Facebook, Twitterand Instagram. They are also listed on Yankton’s business website.
Rita and her husband are also avid Cornhuskers and University of South Dakota Coyotes fans. They enjoy attending as many games as possible.
Is Rita Merchant on Instagram?
Yes, Rita Merchant is on Facebook (@rita.merchanthouska) and Instagram (@ritasofyankton).
Rita Merchant Family
Rita Merchant has not shared any information about her parents or any other family members. However, her husband has provided her with more information about her family. In March 2019, Randy shared that he and his wife had the opportunity to buy Rita’s father’s house. Her mother passed away in the same house “overlooking the lake she loved, peacefully, surrounded by her family who loved her.”
Randy and Rita hope the home will be a place for their grandchildren to play and make memories.
Another family member Rita shares is her cousin, Barry Gilman.
Speaking of Randy’s family, he is the son of Iner Lloyd Houska. Randy also had an older brother named Patrick Andrew Houska who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Sadly, he died in a car accident when Randy was only 5 years old. He was on leave at the time of the accident on October 19, 1967. He was born on January 11, 1944.
Related FAQs
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What is Rita Merchant’s birthday?
Rita Merchant celebrates her birthday on January 10.
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Where is Rita Merchant from?
Rita calls South Sioux City, Nebraska her hometown. But she currently lives in Vermillion, South Dakota.