James Richard Hougen
Our Dad passed away Christmas morning, an appropriate day for someone whose faith was such an important part of his life.
With family and grandkids at home, we decided to have a small service Thursday, December 27, before people had to leave. We've had many people apologize for missing - but please do not feel badly! We knew it would be a small service on such short notice. There was also a clergy shortage in Larimore, so we led it ourselves - a very informal affair - and people shared some stories about Dad. All in all, it was a very fitting send off for him. There wasn't much else Dad loved more than good friends and family getting together to visit and tell stories.
Dad decided nearly 20 years ago to donate his body to the UND Medical School. And those of you who knew him realize how excited he was to be able to do this. I am sure he is as curious as ever to find out what they discovered about him and all his ailments. When he's done being the subject of their studies, we will plan a larger service for his internment.
At the service, we selected a few verses that were Dad's favorites. One thing our brother John added was about Dad's love of the Book of Romans. Paul wrote this book, and he too suffered ailments and trials - so in that Dad maybe found a kindred spirit. I will insert his obituary and program information onto this post...
Mom continues to live in Larimore at the Good Samaritan Center. Her short term memory is very short, but she remembers friends well and appreciates visitors if you are able to stop by.
Thank you to all of you who were part of his life. The kindnesses paid to our parents means more and more to us - Dad lived a very full life, and that was due to his many relationships. You made his life even richer with your friendships.
James Richard Hougen
Christmas morning, Jim Hougen’s gift was being set free from
a body no longer able to give wing to his imagination. He was on this earth 83 years.
Jim had no fear of death, but curiosity about what would
happen tomorrow kept him going for years.
He loved to be busy, and to the chagrin of his children, all trips home
were filled with projects to be done.
Business was next to godliness.
For years, Jim ran a retail business in Larimore started by his father,
which he later named “Leonard’s.” He
also built houses, sold and installed floor covering , helped build the
Larimore Golf Course, and was involved with other things too numerous to
mention.
Jim had a lifelong love of Republican politics and served a
term in the North Dakota House of Representatives and the North Dakota
Constitutional Convention, as well as many years on the Larimore School
Board.
A lifelong member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, he served
on the church council, sang in the church choir, and taught Sunday School – he
loved to take his Sunday School class on a trip to the Metropolitan Stadium to
see the Minnesota Twins.
Jim was an avid fan of local sports – his favorite team
being the Larimore Polar Bears, followed by the University of North Dakota
Fighting Sioux, all other North Dakota teams, the Minnesota Twins, the
Minnesota Vikings, and Lakers - even though they moved to California. Sunday
drives for his family often involved a trip to see the Twins play. Family trips
around the United States often involved driving around big cities to see the
local stadiums.
We have a cherished family photo of Jim. After a snow storm he decided it was time to
clear the walk. The picture shows Jim
being pushed in his wheel chair by Vella, he in turn is pushing his
snowblower. Neither practical nor
efficient, but it was an opportunity to be busy. For the last 20 years of his life, he sported
only one leg, but none of us could keep up.
Jim celebrated Christmas Eve with his earthly family. We attended a church service and he sang Silent Night with a strong voice.
Christmas Day was celebrated with those that left before
him: His parents, Leonard and Gladys
(Larson) Hougen, his brother Lloyd and his sister Doris (Shide). Always an adventuresome traveler, he joins
his sons Charlie and Paul who will guide him to his new home.
Jim leaves behind Vella (Olson) the love of his life and
wife of 61 years. His sister –in-law
Margaret Tank and brother-in-law Bob Shide also survive him. Also left behind are his sons, John
(Michelle) and David, and daughters Jane Hougen, Ardis (Craig) Kraft and Susan
(Marty) Lieberg and daughter-in-law Stephanie Hougen. His grandchildren, Meghan (Brandon) Fortman,
Erik (Becky) Hougen, Rachel (Ryan) Galemore, Krysta Hougen, Luke Kraft, Carlie Hougen, Emma
& Sarah Hougen, Ben & Kjerstie Lieberg, and four great-grandsons
Elijah, Caden, William, and Liam.
Jim’s family is grateful for the wonderful care he
received at the Larimore Good Samaritan Center and at 4000 Valley Square
Woodside Village the last two years. A
service was held December 27 in Larimore to remember his life.
Arrangements by Bakke Funeral Home, Larimore
North, Dakota.
Program from Dad's Service...
Dad always loved studying the Bible, whether through worship, in a Bible study, as a Sunday School teacher, or conversations with good friends. He had many favorite verses, but these are a few that stand out to us.John 3:16 This one says it all...
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die."
John 14:1-6 /
This verse was selected by Dad and Mom for Paul’s funeral...
"Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me
Ephesians 3:14-19 /
Grandpa Leonard’s favorite verse, it has been read at many family events...
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.
Romans was probably Dad’s favorite book in the Bible. It was his favorite for many reasons... he always considered himself "Christian" first, but he had strong roots in the Lutheran faith, and Luther’s emphasis on "Justification by Faith" is a focus of Romans. Dad also had strong feelings about the Holy Spirit and its role in his life.
Romans 3:21-26
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.
Musical Selections
Beautiful Savior, a standard for many years at the Concordia Christmas Concert
Peace Like a River, "It is well with my soul," was a prayer and hope of Dad's
Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling, Dad has been called home and it gives us comfort to know he is finally at peace
This is My Father's World, Dad believed this and felt blessed to be in it
His Eye is on the Sparrow, a standard Hougen song sung at both Charlie's and Paul's funeral
Thanks Be to Thee, another Hougen standard. A family keepsake is a copy that Charlie marked up to play for Grandma Gladys Hougen's funeral
"...and man shall live forevermore because of Christmas day."
