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Janet L. Hougen, 77

Farm Life Shaped Her Unselfish and Caring Ways.

Janet Hougen, 77, died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012.

Funeral services were Monday, Jan. 16, at First Lutheran Church in Blair. Interment was at the Avoca (Iowa) Cemetery.

Janet La Vone Schmitt was born on Aug. 8, 1934, on the family farm in Valley Township, Hancock, Iowa, to Elmer and Viola (Mortensen) Schmitt. Growing up on the farm shaped her simple outlook on life, her contagious and endless energy, her love for nature, and above all, her unselfish and caring ways.

She graduated from Hancock High School with academic honors and was a member of the “6 on 6” basketball team. She continued her education at a business school in Omaha. She established a career in accounting and tax preparation, including owing her own business. She was active in her church and volunteered in the community. Her concern for others prompted her to visit with people and offer her time in helping those with various needs.

Her interests included traveling and gardening. Her love of flowers led her to develop a green thub. She enjoyed feeding and watching the birds that flocked to her well-stocked feeders. Her family was very important to her. She kept in contact by phone and visits where possible. They will miss her dearly.

Her family includes her daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Brian Ackley of Omaha; and son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Lori Myers of Broken Arrow, Okla. She is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Wilma Schmitt of Forest Lake, Minn.

She was married to Curt Hougen on August 1, 1992. He survives her, as do her step-children, Kathy Hougen of Monticello, Minn., and Laura andMark Lansink of Hutchinson, Minn. Their grandchildren are Christina Ackley, Melissa Ackley, Alyson Ackley, Megan Myers, Morgan Myers, Alexis Lansink, Elizabeth Lansink, Samuel Lansink, Nathaniel Hougen.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

#2 There was another obituary printed in the January 14, 2012 Omaha World-Herald that had a better picture but no further information

#3 Funeral Leaflet

In Loving Memory of Janet L. Hougen

Born August 31, 1934 Valley Township, Iowa ~ Entered Into Rest January 12, 2012 Blair, Nebraska

Funeral Service 10:30 AM Monday, January 16th, 2012 First Lutheran Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Pastor Frank Philipp. Organist: Clare Cowing. Congregational Selections: “Abide With Me”, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”, “Lift High The Cross”. Vocal Selections: “The Lord’s Prayer”. Vocalist: Jeff Warren. “In The Garden” Duet: Mark & Kay Dickinson

Pallbearers: Christina Ackley, Melissa Ackley, Alyson Ackley, Megan Myers, Morgan Myers, Alexis Lansink, Elizabeth Lansink, Samuel Lansink, Nathaniel Hougen

Graveside Services: Avoca Cemetery, Avoca, Iowa

~~~Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska~~~

FindaGrave #198175981