Doris Houselog

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Feb. 15, 1939-Oct. 30, 2009

TYLER - Services for Doris Houselog, 70, of Tyler, will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First English Lutheran Church in Tyler. Visitation will be from 48 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 6 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home, Utoft-Johansen Chapel in Tyler. Visitation continues on Tuesday at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Danebod Cemetery in Tyler.

She died Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, at her farm home.

Doris Marie Houselog was born Feb. 15, 1939, to John and Elsie (Wussow) Erks on Feb. 15, 1939, in Altona Township, Pipestone County. She was baptized and later confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church in Holland, Minnesota. She was raised on the farm in Pipestone County, where she attended country school District No. 7 through eighth grade and graduated from Ruthton High School in 1957. On April 29, 1958, Doris married Joseph Houselog, Jr. at St. James Lutheran Church. In their 40 years of marriage they lived on various farms in the Ruthton and Tyler area. During this time they were blessed with seven children. After many years of being a devoted mother and caretaker of her home, Doris worked various jobs in the area. She had two favorite jobs. She worked part-time on weekends as a waitress at the Brick Manor in Arco, and for the last 10 years as a receptionist at Tyler Healthcare Center. As she had a gift for "gab," over the years she made many friendships from the young to the old, and these friendships lasted a lifetime. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Doris continued working and enjoying life as it was given to her. Doris enjoyed everything in life. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Tyler. She enjoyed her crocheting, sewing, flowers, gardens, and doing all of her yard work. She was a member of the Doris Club and a Saturday morning Quilt Block Club. She enjoyed family and friends, especially playing cards, games, and bean bag with her children and grandchildren, and her birthday/casino trips with her friends.

Survivors include her seven children, Dan (and Andrea) of Tyler, Darla (and Brad) Blegen of Russell, Jim (and fiance Leticia Arellano of Washington, D.C.) of Baltimore, Md., Les (and Colleen) of Worthington, Tammy (and Tim) Totz of Clear Lake, Tracy (and Tony) Hastings of Clear Lake, and Troy (and Jodi) of Tyler; 16 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; a sister, Caroline (and Marv) Heidebrink of Holland; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her parents; sister, Byrdella Thomas; brother, Carl Erks, and infant brother, Leslie.