Thelma G. Houglum

Thelma Houglum, 92, Ulen, MN, formerly Waubun, MN, died Thursday, February 20, 2014, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND. Thelma Gudrun Otterson was born December 22, 1921, near Syre, MN, to Nicolai and Hilda Otterson. She attended school at Meadowland Country School near Syre, graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1939 and Moorhead State Teachers College in 1941. Following graduation, Thelma taught school at Cheerful Nook Country School near Flom, MN, where she met her husband and life partner, Monroe Houglum. Following their marriage in 1943 they lived a short time in Newport News, VA, where Monroe was stationed with the U.S. Army and Thelma worked at the Point of Embarkation supporting the war effort. In 1946, Thelma and Monroe moved to Waubun where they would live for the next 59 years. During this time Thelma stayed busy raising three sons and a daughter, working with the Cub Scouts as a Den Mother, the American Legion Auxiliary and being very active at Trinity Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and worked at many activities and projects both for the church and the Ladies Aid. In later years, Thelma and Monroe enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and spent a portion of several winters near the Gulf of Mexico in Biloxi, MS. In 2005, they moved to the Northern Lights Assisted Living in Ulen. Following Monroe’s death in 2006, Thelma continued to live at Northern Lights until moving to the Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen where she resided until her death. Thelma enjoyed gardening. She took pride in her vegetable garden and beautiful flower beds that surrounded her house. She loved to give tours to her family and friends. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren always took priority in her life. She always loved to have them visit as this gave her an excuse to bake, another favorite pastime of hers, which they loved. Each birthday a favorite gift for each grandchild was a fresh batch of Sally Ann cookies. They always looked forward to those. During these years Thelma also enjoyed cross stitch, crocheting and crossword puzzles. She created countless afghans which she gave to children and grandchildren. Thelma is survived by three sons: Bruce (Diane) of Nashville, TN, Barry (Jeanine) of Ulen, and Gregg (Barb) of Fargo; one daughter, Diane (Terry) Tobin of Barnesville, MN; 10 grandchildren: Kirsten Mitchell of Hermitage, TN, Karin (Joe) Rudd of Fargo, Nicole (Jesse) Langerud of East Grand Forks, MN, Tiffany (Jeff) Brenna of Elk River, MN, Alicia (Dane) Carley of Hawley, MN, Cody (Kristin) Houglum of Gilbert, AZ, John Tobin of Barnesville, Josh Tobin also of Barnesville, Emily Peterson of Fargo, and Eric (Mallory) also of Fargo; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Harriet Houglum of Alexandria, MN, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Monroe; her parents; two brothers, Stanley and Kenneth and three sisters: Ruth, Nora and Esther. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waubun led by Pastor Al Brooks. Carol Lockhart will be the organist with Gregg Houglum and Tom Houglum providing special music. Serving as pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren. Honorary bearers will be the Waubun Auxiliary. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 25, 2014, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home, Mahnomen. Interment will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, MN.

Thelma G. Houglum

December 22, 1921 - February 20, 2014