Esther M. Hougaard

Esther Marie (Gandt) Hougaard, 95, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 11, 2022 at St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls following a lengthy illness with family by her side. Esther was born on January 13, 1927, to Francis (Wusterbarth) and Fred Gandt in the Town of Gillett and was raised on the family farm. On Nov. 17, 1946, Esther married Howard T. Hougaard. Together, they farmed and raised six children in the Town of Maple Valley. Being an ambitious woman, Esther took a job off the farm and was hired by her niece, Bonnie Paulson, to work in Miller’s Gifts in Gillett in 1965. In 1968, Esther took over and managed the store until it closed. Esther had a deep faith in God. She was a longtime and active member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church where she held many leadership positions. Esther is survived by five children, Dayton (Pat), Darilyn, Diane (Stu) Rivard, Debra (LeRoy) Roethle and Daniel (Anne); 12 grandchildren, Andrea Hougaard, Brad (Chris) Hougaard, Chad (Kari) Hougaard, Todd (Julie) Rivard, Stephanie (Austin) Caves, Brent (Hannah) Rivard, Janel (Erik) Aleson, Kevin (Asley) Roethle, Amanda (Scott) Hackbarth, Daniel Roethle, Danielle (fiancé Lakota) Hougaard, Kendall (Ryan) Vesta; 27 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ruth Blom; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; one son, Dean Paul; brothers, Noman (Mae) Gandt, Herman (Laverne) Gandt, and Albert (Viola) Gandt; many other relatives and friends. Visitation for Esther will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 11005 County Road M, Suring, from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at noon with Pastor Fred Mai officiating. The service will be livestreamed to Our Redeemer’s Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/ourredeemerslutheransuring. Esther will be interred in the spring at Frostville Cemetery. Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church or Home Respite Care, Oconto Falls.