Louisa was preceded in death by infant twin sons, her brothers, Archie and Harvey and sisters, Annabelle, Alma and Gertrude. Louisa is survived by her children, Darrel Howsden, Bill Howsden, Sindie Ferguson and Terrie Matthews; brother Earl Hoeck; and sisters Lorraine Hinson, Mary Rudolf, Grace Brehm, Pauline Brehm and Joan Brehm. Louisa has 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Louisa was born September 26, 1937, to Charles and Verna (Ehlert) Hoeck in Hewett Township, Clark County, Wis. Louisa grew up in the Medford area yet maintained strong ties and spent most summers with her extended family in the Thorp area. Louisa was a 1956 graduate of Medford Senior High School.
During her life, Louisa was a mother, a farmer, an art student, a factory worker, an operator of a painting and whitewashing business, a bus driver – and all of the other trades involved in keeping a farm running.
Louisa enjoyed the outdoors, nature and wildlife. Never one to be caught indoors if there was work to be done outside, she was well suited to the farming life. Louisa was still raising animals and splitting firewood in her mid 70s.
Louisa was an independent, fiercely proud and sometimes stubborn woman with deeply held convictions. Those who knew her would say the same thing.
The visitation / memorial service will be held Saturday, July 9th, 2016, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at HEMER FUNERAL HOME in Medford, Wis. In keeping with her wishes, there will be a private time for the family to spread her ashes.
