Marian Hougland

Ada Marian Bader Hougland, age 86, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2013, at her home surrounded by her loved ones. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 pm, Thursday, June 6, 2013, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Andy Harris officiating; and son-in-law, Ron Owen, providing the eulogy. Cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Marian was born April 4, 1927, on the Bader family farm in Ault, Colorado, and spent her early years in Loveland, Colorado. After completing high school, Marian moved to Denver, Colorado, where she worked as a secretary during the war years. After the end of WWII, she became reacquainted with her brother's now-handsome best friend - Bob, aka "Hougie" - who had returned to Loveland after serving as a Navy Airman. In 1947, despite the protests of her many suitors, she married the love of her life - R.W. "Bob" Hougland. At the time, many friends placed bets that the couple would only stay married six months ... they were off by about sixty-one and a half years. With Marian's support, Bob attended Colorado School of Mines, where he earned an advanced Engineer of Mines degree and she earned her own PHT (Putting Hubby Through) while also raising two young sons and working full-time in secretarial positions, assembly-line factory jobs and as a switchboard operator. In 1955, Marian and Bob moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico where he was employed with IMCC as a Junior Engineer and she worked in the secretarial pool at PCA. Within the next five years two daughters were born and Carlsbad became the couple's lifelong home, providing a backdrop for 62 years of marriage and the rearing of all four of their children. Marian will be remembered as an avid reader, with a dry sense of humor and a very quick wit. She was a great conversationalist who kept abreast of current affairs and life events until the end of her life. She was always the first to offer assistance to others and take in strays - pets, as well as kids and a few adults. She always claimed to not be an animal lover but she usually ended up adopting strays; she had an especially soft heart for her cat, Sammy, who was with her when she passed away. Marian was a very devoted caregiver - the solid foundation of the family - and wasn't afraid of much in life ... except thunderstorms. She will be remembered as a great source of unconditional love and never-ending support to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her children: Robert Dennis Hougland and wife, Celia, of Loving; Larry Wayne Hougland and wife, Lanita, of Carlsbad; Donna Hougland Owen and husband, Ron, of Albuquerque; and Patricia Hougland Oliva of Carlsbad; her grandchildren; Robert Wayne, Stacie, Robert Elden, Tabby, Angel, Chris, Steve, Sandra, Scott, Krista, Aaron and Rachel; eleven great-grandchildren; her brother, Elden Bader of Loveland, Colorado; brother-in-law, Orville Riddle of Ft. Collins, Co; and her beloved cat, Sammy. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Bob Hougland; her parents, Ivan and Ruth Bader of Loveland, Colorado; and her four sisters; Eloise Heller, Dorothy Covey, Peg Clark and Betty Riddle. May the reunion in Heaven begin! The family would like to offer a special thanks to the four ladies who provided constant companionship and care during her final years: Esther Ramirez, Leanne Grout, Teri Romero and granddaughter, Sandra Hougland. In lieu of flowers or gifts the family requests that donations be made to Home Care Connection - Hospice Fund, 513 S. Canal St., Carlsbad, NM 88220 Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com