Bertha Iverina (Ellingson) Hougen (1873-1959)

ELLINGSON, HOUGEN, GROTH, PAULSON, OLSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/23/2019 at 20:19:28

From Nevada Journal October 31, 1959 (page 6)

Rites for Mrs. John Hougen Held Oct. 21

Funeral services for Mrs. John Hougen were held Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Story City Rev. Harold T. Masted officiated.

A prayer service was held at Larson Funeral home preceding the services with Mrs. Masted singing one number accompanied by Mrs. Alfred Jacobson. During the services in the church the congregation sang "I Know of a Sleep in Jesus' Name." Misses Lilian and Olive Alsager sang, "Jesus Lover of My Soul" and "One Sweetly Solemn Thought" accompanied by Miss House Olson.

Burial was in the cemetery at McCallsburg. Pallbearers were Philip Hougen, Keith Paulson, Wayne Paulson, Rev. Virgil C. Hougen, Jeffrey Hougen and Clyde Baumgardner.

Obituary

Mrs. John (Bertha E.) Hougen was born February 25, 1873 at her parents home northeast of Norway, Iowa. Her parents were Elling and Anna Ellingson. She was one of eight brothers and six sisters. Mrs. Hougen was baptized as an infant and confirmed in the First Lutheran Church near Norway, Ia. She attended the country school near there and later attended high school in Norway and the Academy at Vinton. After graduation she taught school for a short time.

On March 9, 1898 she was united in marriage to John Hougen by the Rev. T. S. Kolste at the farm home. To this union eight children were born. Two of whom died in infancy and Lois Irene at the age of eight months.

After her marriage she lived on a farm near McCallsburg for twelve years. In 1910 the family moved to her present home in Story City. Mrs. Hougen was an active member of the Lutheran church all of her life. She had been in poor health for a long period of time and died Oct. 18 at the age of 86 years, 7 months and 23 days. She was preceded in death by her husband who died July 24, 1946.

Surviving are five children: Mrs. Mabel Groth and Lillian Hougen both of Story City, Mrs. Herbert (Esther) Paulson of Ames, Ernest of McCallsburg and Byron of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, one brother, Severt J. Ellington of Northfield, Minn. and one sister, Mrs. Andrew (Nettie) Olson of McCallsburg.