Lloyd "Bud" Hougdahl of Deer Park, died on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Lloyd was born in Deer Park on September 9, 1920 to Olaf and Josephine (Otterson) Hougdahl. He married Vera Lommerud on June 23, 1946 in Superior, Wis.
Lloyd grew up in Deer Park, attended the Deer Park Elementary School and graduated from New Richmond High School in 1938.
After graduation, he worked for the Shell Station of Deer Park as an automobile serviceman until 1942.
In October of 1942, Lloyd entered the Army Air Force. He was an airplane maintenance technician and supervised the inspection, maintenance, adjustment and minor repairs of aircraft and aircraft equipment. During this time he worked as a crew chief on the B-29 aircraft in Seattle, Wash. He was next sent to Kansas Pratt and later shipped out to India, where he flew missions over the hump to China. After that, he was sent to Ten Yen where he serviced airplanes that were bombing Japan.
When he returned home from the service, Lloyd began hauling milk for Maple Island Dairy until 1970. After that time, he became a school bus driver for the Clear Lake School District which he enjoyed until 1998.
Lloyd took a special interest in and became an active member of the Confederate Air Force, Southern Minnesota Wing, in South St. Paul in 1982. In 1988 he joined the Confederate Air Force B-29/B-24 Squadron in Midland, Tex. He flew with the B-29/B-24 flight crew every summer until 1999.
At home in Deer Park, Lloyd was an active member of the Deer Park Lions Club. He was also a long time member of the Deer Park American Legion where he was the post commander for many years and also the chaplain of the St. Croix County 10th District. He was an active member of the Forest United Methodist Church where he was involved in many voluntary activities. He especially enjoyed being the head pancake turner and ice cream server as he chatted with his many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son Robert; four brothers, Kenneth, John, Harris and Roy; two sisters, Marion Green and Irene Matthys.
Lloyd is survived by his wife, Vera of Deer Park; one son, Edward (Carol) Hougdahl of Turtle Lake; one grandson, Lance Hougdahl of Turtle Lake; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held on Friday, May 25 at Beebe Mortuary in New Richmond. Funeral services were Saturday, May 26 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Deer Park with Reverend Terri Koca officiating.
Organist was Jane Johnson and Lois Burri was soloist. Active casket bearers were Barb LaVigne, Craig Matthys, Doug, Jim and Dennis Hougdahl, and Sandra Pinger. Honorary casket bearers and military honors were provided by Deer Park American Legion Post No. 213 and New Richmond American Legion Post No. 80. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery in Deer Park.
Arrangements by Beebe Mortuary.
(New Richmond News)
