Gerald “Jerry” Hougen, 78

Blue Earth — Gerald “Jerry” Hougen, age 78, of Blue Earth, died Dec. 11, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester. Funeral services were held Dec. 16, 2008, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth. Rev. Stephen Bohling and Rev. Mark Wilms officiated. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth. Patton Funeral Home and Cremation Service was in charge of arrangements.

He was born Dec. 24, 1929, in Emmons, the son of Otis and Mildred (Peterson) Hougen. He was raised and educated on the family farm west of Blue Earth, where he continued to farm all his life. He served in the U.S. Army and was married to Jean A. Holmseth on July 9, 1955, at South Blue Earth Lutheran Church. Jerry liked staying close to the farm but did go fishing on Lake Winnebegosh each summer. He loved to visit with family and friends and spend time with his grandchildren. Jerry was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, was a member of the Blue Earth American Legion Post 89 and helped at the Arend’s Sale Barn on Friday sale days.

Jerry is survived by his wife Jean Hougen of Blue Earth, his daughter Linda (Terry) Larson of Apple Valley, his sons Craig (Karen) Hougen of Blue Earth and Neil (Justine) Hougen of Blue Earth, nine grandchildren Adam, Sarah and Jared Larson, Bridget (fiancee Justin) Hougen, Justin, Joshua (fiancee Jada) Hougen and her son Aiden, and Jeffrey Hougen, Samantha, Blaine, and Brita Hougen, his mother-in-law Clara Holmseth of Frost, his sisters Marvis Northwick of Blue Earth, Nylene Holmseth of Frost, Beverly (Frank) Kitzmann of Janesville, Irma (Jonas) Schwab of Winnebago, and many other close friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Mavis Anderson.

Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com