James Houglum

James Eugene Houglum, 87, of Alexandria, Minnesota, died Friday, October 28, 2011 with family at his side. James was born April 4, 1924, in Fosston, Minnesota, to Edward and Alma Houglum; James was the youngest of three sons. He grew up on the family farm near Flom, Minnesota. He graduated from Waubun High School in Waubun, Minnesota, in 1942. He served in the United States Army Infantry with the occupation troops in Italy, and was honorably discharged February 11, 1948. Also in 1948, he married Harriet Wang, ?the prettiest girl in Ulen, Minnesota?, daughter of Nels and Molly Wang. They lived for a short time on the family farm before moving to Minneapolis where James attended the Associated School of Art in St. Paul. With degree in hand, the two moved back to the farm where James and Harriet assisted with the operation of the family farm. While still on the farm, James and Harriet welcomed their first son, Thomas, in 1951. In 1952, the threesome moved to Moorhead and lived at 505 19th Street North. During that time James was employed by The Fargo Forum and Daveau?s Music in advertising and commercial art. In 1958, a second son, Mark, was added to the family. They then moved from their 19th street home to the one they lived in for the next forty years at 1019 15th Street North in Moorhead. In 1960, the Houglum family was complete when James and Harriet welcomed their daughter, Mary. James next became the commercial artist for KXJB Television in Fargo, North Dakota. You would often see one or the other of his children on their dad?s lap as he drew yet another creation to be viewed by the public on the local television station. Jim retired from KXJB after 35 years. At his retirement, Jim and Harriet decided to move to Alexandria, Minnesota, to be closer to their daughter and her family. James loved his family and being surrounded by them. He loved to read ? especially historical writings. He loved a good joke and appreciated the humor in life. Many hours were spent with each of the eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren as they would draw and color together. He enjoyed finding artwork to replicate and using it to be the catalyst for his own creative mind. His graphic art designs were sought by many and displayed in many venues?business marquees, menus, real estate logos, company brochures, corporate meeting agendas, area schools, and family reunions - just to name a few. Jim?s faith was strong and he modeled it with his own family as well as his church family in the years he taught Sunday School, served the Church council and committees, and in the numerous works of his art and paraments that graced the sanctuary. Not only was his art a tribute to his faith, but his humble and cheerful manner as well? a true man of God. James is survived by his wife, Harriet; two sons, Thomas (Colleen) Houglum and Mark (JuliAnn) Houglum, both of Moorhead; a daughter Mary (Doug) Griffin of Alexandria; his eight grandchildren, Seth (Brenda) Houglum and Leah (William) Spotts, both of Moorhead; MacKenzie Houglum of Moorhead; Hannah (Matt) Fleming of St. Paul, Samuel Griffin of Iowa City, Iowa, Martha Griffin of Studio City, California, Lydia Griffin of Alexandria, and Grace Griffin of Alexandria; and his two great-grandchildren, Annabelle and Jude Houglum of Moorhead; and a sister-in-law, Thelma Houglum of Ulen, Minnesota. James was preceded in death by an infant daughter; his parents, Edward and Alma Houglum; his brother, Monroe Houglum of Waubun, Minnesota; and brother and sister-in-law, Edgar and Margaret Houglum of Twin Valley, Minnesota; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gilman and Shirley Olson of Seattle, Washington; Kenneth and Lillian Wang of Ulen, Minnesota; and brothers-in-law, Quinton and Edmund Wang of Hitterdal, Minnesota. The funeral service was held Tuesday, November 1st at Our Savior?s Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Minnesota with Reverends Loren Mellum and Mark Astrup officiating. A family interment service will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Moorhead, Minnesota, at a later date. Arrangements are provided by Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Please go to www.andersonfuneral.net and view video tribute, share thoughts, stories or comments with the family.