Dorothy Houglum

Dorothy Jean Mathiason was born December 7, 1919, in Middle River, MN, the only child of Chester and Sadie (Schlattman) Mathiason. She attended grade school in Abercrombie, ND, and Perley, MN, and graduated from Borup (MN) High School in 1937. She went to work in the shipyards in Portland, OR, during WWII and returned home after a year to help on her parents' farm. She graduated from Moorhead (MN) State Teachers College and began her career teaching in a one room schoolhouse near Graceville, MN. Throughout the years, she taught in Johnson, Borup, Perley, and Hendrum (MN) schools.

On June 30, 1947, Dorothy married Bennett Houglum in Bethania Lutheran Church of rural Perley. They were married nearly fifty years before his death in 1997. She was active in her church and many community organizations and activities. Riverside 4-H Club of Norman County was proud to have her as a leader for sixty-five years.

Dorothy passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at Sanford Health, Fargo, at ninety-four years of age.

Dorothy got great enjoyment watching her many students, the youth in the community, and her family grow and mature. She loved every occasion she had to visit and catch up with them and hear about their lives.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Bennett; her parents; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Arnold and Verena, Gertrude and Bob, Ernest and Elaine, Hjalmer and Joyce, Corrine and Mervin; nephews, Darrell, John, and Mike; and nieces, Shirley and Margaret.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Paul (Carol) Houglum, Perley; daughter, Linda Houglum, Perley; grandchildren, Sarah (Jeremy) Baumgarten, Kindred, ND, Michael (Lauren) Houglum, Westminster, CO, and Laura (Justin) Grinde, Hillsboro, ND; great-grandchildren, Brett, Brady, and Abigail Baumgarten, Finley and Mace Houglum, and Claire and Dylan Grinde; and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy's life has been like a tapestry or a wonderful piece quilt - stitched with love, patience, and hope. Each year that went by, bits and pieces were added. She has certainly been an important influence in all the lives that she has touched.

Visitation for Dorothy will be Sunday, March 2, 2014, from 4 - 6 PM, with a prayer service at 6 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead. Her funeral will be Monday, March 3, 2014, at 2 PM, in Kirkebo Lutheran Church, Perley.