HOUG, Elmer Martin 1891-1960

HOUG, REAR WATTERUD, SANBORN, SWENSEN, HELLIN, HELGERSON

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 5/12/2010 at 11:29:57

Funeral services for Elmer M. Houg, 69, who died at the Mitchell County Memorial hospital in Osage Wednesday, April 20, 1960 were held Monday, April 25 at the First Lutheran church with the Rev. Don R. Hamilton officiating.

Elmer Martin Houg, son of Oscar Houg and Bertina Rear Houg, was born March 24, 1891 near Elgin, Iowa.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith in the East Clermont Church in Clayton County, Iowa.

He was graduated from Elgin high school and later attended St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minnesota for three years.

Mr. Houg was employed as assistant cashier in the Clermont State Bank before and after his service in the United States Army during World War I, during which time he served two years overseas.

On July 22, 1920 he was united in marriage to Josephine Watterud of Northwood, North Dakota. To this union two children were born, Elmer Joseph and Helen Jean. He was employed in the office of John Falb and Sons of Elgin, Iowa, for seven years prior to coming to St. Ansgar. Mr. and Mrs. Houg owned and operated the Briardale Food Market here for eleven years. In 1948 this business was sold and he has since been employed in the office of H. L. McKinley and sons of St. Ansgar.

Mr. Houg was always interested and active in civic and church affairs having served a number of years on the City Council. He was treasurer of First Lutheran church at St. Ansgar for 18 years. He has been a member of the American Legion for forty consecutive years and was also a member of the Veterans of World War I organizations. He was presently serving as a commissioner for Mitchell County in the Soldiers Relief Commissioners Association of Iowa.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine; and two children, Elmer Joseph of El Cajon, Calif., and Helen Jean Sanborn of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and five grandchildren; also two brothers, Sylvan of West Union, Iowa, and Gerry of St. Paul, Minnesota; and three sisters, Elizabeth, Mrs. O.J. Swensen, of Waseca, Minn.; Signy, Mrs. P.W. Hellin of Minneapolis, Minn.; and Esther, Mrs. Arthur Helgerson of Postville, Iowa and a host of friends.

Burial was in the First Lutheran cemetery with Rev. Hamilton in charge of the committal services. Military Honors were by the Honor Guard of the Walter T. Enneburg Post No. 358 of the St. Ansgar American Legion.

St. Ansgar Enterprise