Ethel Rebecca (Houglum) Hest, 88, of Ada, MN (formerly of Moorhead, MN and Perley, MN), passed away peacefully on March 1, 2017 at the Benedictine Living Community in Ada, MN.

Ethel was born on April 10, 1928 to E.S. (Selmer) and Pauline (Shefveland) Houglum at their farm near Perley, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley, MN. She attended Riverside School near their farm, and later graduated from high school in Borup, MN in 1946. Ethel went on to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, MN where she received her teacher's certificate. She taught elementary school for one year near Leonard, ND. Ethel married Ralph Hest on November 20, 1948 at Bethania Lutheran Church. They were blessed with seven children.

Ethel and Ralph operated a dairy and crop farm near Perley, MN until retiring in 1989. They moved into Moorhead in 1993, and they lived there until Ralph's death on December 31, 2014. Ethel then moved to the Benedictine Living Community in Ada, MN.

Ethel defined the role of homemaker. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She hosted many events for both family and friends wherever she and Ralph were. She enjoyed sewing, and became a gifted quilter, providing beautiful quilts to her entire family. Ethel was known for her exceptional flower and vegetable gardens, as well as being a natural teacher to the entire family.

Ethel was a devoted member of Kirkebo Lutheran Church of Perley, MN. She served in countless roles throughout the years, such as Sunday School teacher, WELCA leader, and choir member. She shared her gift of song, often singing duets with Ralph and in various quartets. Together with the ladies of the church, she helped stitch together innumerable quilts to be sold or donated. Ethel was active in 4-H, both as a member and as an adult leader. She volunteered as an aide at the elementary school in Perley for several years, and served on the boards of Norman County Social Services and Lutheran Homes of Halstad and Twin Valley. She was also active in her local garden and homemakers clubs. Ethel will be missed by all who knew her.

Ethel is survived by Rick (Barb) Hest of Eagle Bend, MN; Jim (Terry) Hest of Grygla, MN; Russ (Joyce) Hest of Casselton, ND; Bruce (Cheryl) Hest of Minot, ND; Bryan of Perley, MN; and Becky (Dave) Smart of Ada, MN. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, a sister - Betty Blevins of Lakeland, FL, and two sisters-in-law - Bev Hest of St. Paul, MN and Geri Houglum of Duluth, MN.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Ralph; their daughter Nancy; her parents Selmer and Pauline Houglum; her brothers Arvid and Edward; her sisters and their spouses: Carol and Andy Midthune, Ruby and Myron Miller; and a brother-in-law, John Hest.

Funeral: 11:00AM, Monday, March 6, 2017, at Kirkebo Lutheran Church, Perley, MN

Visitation: Sunday, March 5, 2017, from 4:00PM to 6:00PM with at 5:30PM prayer service at Mission Court Chapel, on the campus of Benedictine Living Community in Ada.

Burial: Kirkebo Lutheran Cemetery, rural Perley.