He was born October 3, 1929 to Herbert C. and Beulah C. (Leslie) Hougardy on the family ranch west of Roundup. Loren graduated from Roundup High School and attended Montana State University in Bozeman where he was a ROTC member and played saxophone in the Bobcat band.
On December 16, 1951 he married Doris L. Bell and this union was blessed with six children. He lived and worked on the Hougardy Ranch for most of his life, later adding to it his own farmland in Hay Basin. In 2003 he moved with son Mark to Jordan, MT to begin a new farm/ranch venture.
Loren was an active member of the community of Roundup where he was Chairman of the Roundup Memorial Hospital Board, a board member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Roundup, which he helped build, and a Roundup School District board member. Loren helped establish the Mussellshell County Weed board and served as the Supervisor of both Musselshell and Golden Valley Counties. Loren was involved in all of his children´s adventures including being a 4-H club leader and spending numerous hours waiting for various team and band buses to arrive back at Roundup High School after games and school trips. After moving to Jordan he became a member of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Loren´s Christian faith was lived out in his love for his wife of 60 years, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His chosen vocation of farmer/rancher was more joy than work for him each day. Nothing made him happier than a spring rain, the sight of a newborn calf or the smell of newly plowed soil.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Doris of Miles City, sons John (Barbara) of Broadview and Mark (Teresa) of Jordan; daughters Edith (Steve) Berkram of Cut Bank, Eileen (Andy) Wright of Ballentine, Anette Bovee of Michigan, and Alice (Leif) Ronning of Miles City; brothers Harold (Leona Hougardy and Robert (Barbra) Hougardy of California and Dale (Beverly) Hougardy of Washington. He cherished and was loved by 13 grandchildren (Kasey, Scott and Michelle Hougardy, Rachel Burlison, Aaron Berkram, Brian Wise, Dane and Joshua Haight, Matthew Hougardy and Amanda Johnson, and 8 great-grandchildren.
Loren was preceded in death by his parents Herb and Beulah Hougardy, infant twin sisters Dora and Doris and grandson Loyd Wise.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 13, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Miles City. Interment will be held in the Neudorfer Cemetery near Rock Springs, MT. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Jordan is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Miles City.
Mitch and Carrie Beach says
Alice and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. From your stories, I know your dad was an incredible man who will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Call if you need ANYTHING!!!
Carrie
Julia L Brist says
John and Barb – You are being remembered so much. Good to talk to you on the phone today John. We feel so thankful that the Lord draws near in comfort.
Pat & Elmer Berkram says
May the Lord give you peace and comfort in the loss of the one you love. We pray for you all.
Glen And Teena Bollinger says
Mark and Teresa and family
Our deepset sympathy on the loss of your father. God Bless!