Lydia Hooge

Lydia Marie Hooge was born at home on April 10, 1925 near Bingham Lake in Carson Township. She was the daughter of John and Marie (Dick) Gerdes. She died on Monday, August 22, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Village in Mt. Lake, MN at the age of 86. Lydia grew up in Carson Township and attended country school there. She attended Tabor College in Kansas for a brief time. In 1950 Lydia met and fell in love with Vern Hooge. They were married at the Truman Baptist Church on March 22, 1951. By 1958 their family included 3 sons and one daughter. Lydia's life was filled with family, friends and music. She loved to work alongside Vern in the barn or in the field. She also enjoyed baking and sharing the fruits of her labor over coffee with family and friends. Lydia loved to SING! Her life was filled with music. Before she was married she sang in the mixed octet with her, unbeknownst to her, future husband. She sang reveille for her children every morning. Even at 70 years of age she was a member of a ladies sextet. In later years she became a diehard fan of the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and the "Timbers." The highlight of her whole year was the annual Hooge Holidazzle when her children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren would come home for the holidays. Lydia loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She prayed daily for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Through the years mom and dad's love, devotion and commitment to each other was a testimony to loves enduring promise. Lydia touched many lives and we have been blessed! Lydia is survived by her husband Vern Hooge of Mt. Lake, MN; her children: Phil (Pat) Hooge of Worthington, MN, Duane (Randy Kay) Hooge of Windom, MN, VerLynn (Bill) Bruemmer of Virginia, MN, Ron Hooge of Lake City, MN; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; 2 brothers: Harry (Tootie) Gerdes of Ormsby, MN and David Gerdes of Maple Grove, MN; and one sister, Dora (Norman) Loewen of Omaha, NE. Lydia is preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers: George and Reuben Gerdes; 2 sisters: Edna Gerdes and Verona Johnson; and 2 grandsons: Matthew Bruemmer and Daniel Hooge.