JoAn Marie Hanel Houg passed away peacefully on October 31, 2018 at Avantara Billings nursing home in Billings, Montana. JoAn was born to Frank and Alice (Folden) Hanel on February 26, 1940 in Glasgow, Montana, minutes before her twin sister Joyce. Later the family settled in Wolf Point, Montana, where JoAn attended elementary and high school, graduating in 1958. JoAn married her high school sweetheart Loren Houg in January 1963. They lived on Houg Farms where they raised four children, Marc, Rebecca (Becky), Loren (Bruce), and Tonya.
Besides being the most attentive wife, mother, and grandmother, JoAn was a master gardener, wonderful cook, avid reader, great seamstress, and enjoyed knitting, biking, and cross-country skiing. Her love of learning was evident through the numerous Bible studies she attended, as well as the telecom classes she took in the 1980’s stopping short of getting her paralegal degree.
Family was very important to JoAn. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, looking forward to each great grand that was added to the ever-growing clan.
JoAn was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and alice Hanel; Loren’s parents, Herbert and Dina Houg; grandson Jeffrey Houg; great granddaughter Zaylee Houg; and brothers-in-law Gary Lanterman, Larry Houg, and Bruce Houg.
JoAn is survived by her husband Loren Houg; sisters Joyce (LeeRoy) Mann, Jeanie (Harry) Bickle, Jerriann Hanel, Janny (Dave) Parsley, Judy Lanterman, June (Mike) Vogt; brother Frank Hanel, Jr. (Tammie); brothers-in-law Dale (Kay) Houg, Doug (Royal) Houg; sister-in-law Marlene (Dewayne) Jager; children Marc (Janece) Houg, Becky (Rick) Fritz, Bruce Houg, Tonya (Mel) Paulson; grandchildren Rebecca Houg, Marjorie JoAn Houg, Dustin Houg, Benjamin Houg, Dina Fritz, Alice Fritz, Nastassja Burshia, Nicolet (BJ) Palmer, Lane Paulson, Britton Paulson, nine great grandchildren with another on the way, numerous nieces and nephews; and a former daughter-in-law Angela Martinez Brotzman.
JoAn was thoughtful and loving and will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched. She was a spiritual woman who held steadfast to her faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, so we know she rejoices in His open arms.
Cremation is planned with a memorial service at a later date.