HOUGEN, Odin Blackstead
August 7, 1917 - December 6, 2007
Odin Hougen (90) of Surrey passed away at the Kinsman Lodge in Surrey on December 7, 2007. Odin was born in Shelbrook, Saskatchewan on August 7, 1917 to Margrethe and Berent Hougen. He attended a one room school in Tatalrose, British Columbia, and finished high school in Burns Lake, BC. Odin went on to take courses at the University of British Columbia.
In 1942, Odin founded what was to become Hougen's Ltd in Whitehorse, Yukon. During WWII Odin cooked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the construction of the Alaska Highway. He later cooked for the legendary hunting guide, Mike Nolan in the Yukon.
In 1951 Odin purchased the Marsh Lake Lodge on Mile 883 of the Alaska Highway. He became known in the north for his great porterhouse steaks and homemade pies.
In 1954 Odin married Rose Dawson of Montreal. She and her daughter, Maureen moved to Marsh Lake. A son, Odin Einar Hougen, was born in 1955.
Following the loss of the Marsh Lake Lodge to fire in 1955, Odin and his family moved to Surrey, BC, where he was employed by Richmond Plywood, Ltd.
Odin was an enthusiastic member of Lions International and served as President of the North Surrey Lions Club in 1989. Odin was widely known for his annual orchestration of the Mothers Day Pancake Breakfast at the Kennedy Centre. He was awarded Life Membership by the North Surrey Lions in 1989, and Lions International bestowed on Odin in 1990 the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship.
Odin Hougen was predeceded in death by his wife, Rose Dawson Hougen and by brothers Einar, Magnus & Thelmer.
He is survived by sisters Swanhild of Surrey, Borghild of Toronto, and brother Rolf of Whitehorse. He is also survived by his son Odin Einar Hougen (Leanna) of Watson Lake, his daughter, Maureen (Ralph) of Traverse City, Michigan, and five grandchildren.
A private gathering in Odin's memory has been held by the family. Memorials my be directed to the Strawberry Hill United Church, 7655 120 Street, North Delta, BC, V4C 6P6.