Obituary for Lillian Mae Hougham
Lillian Mae Hougham
December 16, 1923 – March 5, 2018
Lillian passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on March 5, 2018 at Eudora Medicalodge, Eudora, Kansas. A memorial service will be held on March 17th at DeSoto Baptist Church, 8655 Copeland Way, DeSoto, Kansas at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the DeSoto V.F.W. or Toys for Tots.
Lillian was born to Raymond and Lillian Williams on December 16, 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri. This marriage ended and when she was 2, her older brother Raymond, mother and stepfather Willie “Sarge” Dennis moved to Fort Des Moines Army Post. The next assignment moved them to Fort Riley, Kansas where she graduated from Junction City Senior High in May, 1942. Her adventurous spirit became apparent as she participated in the archery club, tennis, swimming, Girl Cadets, horseback riding, and camera club. She demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility during her school years with various jobs earning money, including house cleaning, babysitting, delivering newspapers, church office secretary and working at the Post Exchange. She was a member of the Fort Riley Main Post Chapel congregation.
The “wander lust” struck her in the second year of World War II. She and a friend decided to visit her friend’s husband that was training in Arizona, so off they went on a road trip. This was an extended trip ending in California where they worked at an Army Post Exchange. She returned to Fort Des Moines in 1943, where Sarge had been reassigned, and worked at a photography studio. She met and married her first husband Navy Air Cadet Bruce Pass in November, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, resulting in her first child, Pamela. She later divorced and married Howard Hougham in June, 1947 in Kansas City, Kansas. Pam’s brothers Gerry, Robert, “Bob” and Dennis “Denny” followed in due time after their move to Earlham, Iowa. The Hougham’s then moved to DeSoto, Kansas in 1958 where the family continues to reside.
Living through the war years, Lillian developed a deep sense of patriotism and was very proud of her family and all those who served in the military. She always had an American flag displayed in her window to honor our veterans. Her hobbies included gardening, flowers, bird watching, crocheting, collecting lighthouses and Hallmark ornaments and working puzzles. She volunteered as a room mother in all of her childrens’ schools at one time or another and was a very devoted homemaker.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents Willie and Lillian Dennis; her husband, Howard; brothers Raymond and Roland; son Gerry Wayne and infant son Daryl Paul. Survivors include her sister Betty Stoner of Perry, Iowa; daughter Pamela (Jerry) of Baldwin City, Kansas; son Robert (Gay) Hougham of Lenexa, Kansas; son Dennis (Deborah) Hougham of DeSoto, Kansas; 8 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
There will be a private burial ceremony at Fort Riley Post Cemetery at a later date.
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December 16, 1923 – March 5, 2018
Lillian passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on March 5, 2018 at Eudora Medicalodge, Eudora, Kansas. A memorial service will be held on March 17th at DeSoto Baptist Church, 8655 Copeland Way, DeSoto, Kansas at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the DeSoto V.F.W. or Toys for Tots.
Lillian was born to Raymond and Lillian Williams on December 16, 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri. This marriage ended and when she was 2, her older brother Raymond, mother and stepfather Willie “Sarge” Dennis moved to Fort Des Moines Army Post. The next assignment moved them to Fort Riley, Kansas where she graduated from Junction City Senior High in May, 1942. Her adventurous spirit became apparent as she participated in the archery club, tennis, swimming, Girl Cadets, horseback riding, and camera club. She demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility during her school years with various jobs earning money, including house cleaning, babysitting, delivering newspapers, church office secretary and working at the Post Exchange. She was a member of the Fort Riley Main Post Chapel congregation.
The “wander lust” struck her in the second year of World War II. She and a friend decided to visit her friend’s husband that was training in Arizona, so off they went on a road trip. This was an extended trip ending in California where they worked at an Army Post Exchange. She returned to Fort Des Moines in 1943, where Sarge had been reassigned, and worked at a photography studio. She met and married her first husband Navy Air Cadet Bruce Pass in November, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, resulting in her first child, Pamela. She later divorced and married Howard Hougham in June, 1947 in Kansas City, Kansas. Pam’s brothers Gerry, Robert, “Bob” and Dennis “Denny” followed in due time after their move to Earlham, Iowa. The Hougham’s then moved to DeSoto, Kansas in 1958 where the family continues to reside.
Living through the war years, Lillian developed a deep sense of patriotism and was very proud of her family and all those who served in the military. She always had an American flag displayed in her window to honor our veterans. Her hobbies included gardening, flowers, bird watching, crocheting, collecting lighthouses and Hallmark ornaments and working puzzles. She volunteered as a room mother in all of her childrens’ schools at one time or another and was a very devoted homemaker.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents Willie and Lillian Dennis; her husband, Howard; brothers Raymond and Roland; son Gerry Wayne and infant son Daryl Paul. Survivors include her sister Betty Stoner of Perry, Iowa; daughter Pamela (Jerry) of Baldwin City, Kansas; son Robert (Gay) Hougham of Lenexa, Kansas; son Dennis (Deborah) Hougham of DeSoto, Kansas; 8 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
There will be a private burial ceremony at Fort Riley Post Cemetery at a later date.
To plant a tree in memory of Lillian Mae Hougham, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Memorial Service
Saturday
17
Mar
2:00 PM
De Soto Baptist Church
8655 Copeland Way
P.O. Box E
De Soto, KS 66018
Cemetery Details
Location
Fort Riley Post Cemetery
193 Huebner Rd
Fort Riley, KS 66442
Memorial Contribution
Toy for Tots
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