FARIBAULT, Minn. - Ruby Marcella Hougan, age 96, passed from this life into eternal glory on July 9, 2014, while a resident at Pleasant Manor in Faribault, Minn. She was born in 1917.

The Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2014, at 1 p.m., at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, Madison, with visitation prior to the funeral beginning at 12 p.m. Pastor Mark Bartels will be officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens in Madison, next to her loving husband of 61 years, Howard Hougan, who preceded her in death.

Ruby, the youngest of five children, grew up on a dairy farm in Jefferson County. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at a little country church in Hubbleton, where her parents were faithful members.

Ruby was a stay-at-home mom to four children, and successfully juggled child rearing with cooking, baking, sewing, canning, gardening, substitute teaching, and organist duties (for almost 50 years) at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. In 1968, she was called to teach first grade in their new elementary school and continued there for many years. She was also an active member of Reserve Officers' Association Ladies (ROAL) and the Lamplighters group of AAL.

Retirement took them from their beloved home in Madison to Faribault, Minn., where Ruby was active in Kiwanis, Meals-On-Wheels, Bible studies, and as a transcriptionist at Therapywerks. She also continued to be a guest organist at several churches. In 2010, Ruby moved to an independent living arrangement in Mankato, Minn. A stroke in 2013 ended her active lifestyle, but for a year-and-a-half, she graced her family with loving smiles and an upbeat attitude. Even bedridden, she was an inspiration to staff and family alike.

Ruby is survived by four children and their spouses, Victoria Butterfield (Michael), Karen Madson (Jim Bina), Kristi Paterson (Richard), and Paul Hougan (Beth). She also is survived by 17 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren (with three more on the way). She was preceded in death by her husband, four siblings, and a son-in-law. Memorials may be directed to "Partners in Christ," a tuition-assistance program of Holy Cross Lutheran School, or to Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn. Her life and witness was built on faith as a redeemed child of God. Even as she has entered glory, Ruby reminds us of the words of Christ Himself, "Feed My Lambs." Blessed be her memory!

Arrangements were made by Boldt Funeral Home in Faribault, Minn.

From http://host.madison.com/news/local/obituaries/hougan-ruby-marcella/article_d4cf71a5-ba7c-519f-91cd-e7157a6a27b6.html

added May 10, 2017