Wayne Allen Hougham, son of George Hougham and Doris Stevens, was born November 18, 1960 in Perry, Iowa and passed away June 13, 2018 in Jefferson, Iowa from a heart attack at the age of 57. He was raised in Greene County, Iowa and attended East Greene schools. He made his home in Jefferson and worked at Frigidaire for 24 years while holding multiple side jobs.
After meeting his wife, Elizabeth (Meinecke) Hougham, he became co-owner and “public relations” of Uptown Café. He started working for Greene County Schools in 2009 and worked his way up to Director of Buildings, Grounds & Transportation, a position he was proud to have and loved dearly.
He was proud to share the accomplishments of his four children but was even more proud to be “Papa” to his granddaughter, Ella. When he was not working, which was all the time, you could find him watching “The Young and the Restless” or belting out 60’s and 70’s music in his deep, bass voice. He loved to entertain, laugh and give everybody a bit of his wisdom. He was someone that seemed to know everybody, knew something about everything, and would say it the way he saw it. He will leave a lasting impression on all the hearts he touched.
A Celebration of Life service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16 at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson officiated by Pastor Jim Barnett. Casket bearers were Robert Stofer, Jim Springer, Tim Gettler, Ron Vickers, Jeff Meinecke, Richard Conklin, Jr. and Dan Burkhardt. Honorary bearers were Joe Doran, John Reineman, Sean Thompson, Tim Buenz, Tim Christensen, Mel Graven, Elaine McDowell, Brian Phillips, Karen Sandberg, Shawn DeMoss, Kevin Lentz and Harold Everman. The music played was “Desperado” and “Take It To The Limit” by the Eagles and “Keep Me In Your Heart” by Eddie Vedder. Sheilah Pound was the soloist accompanied by Sheryl Sloan for “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “From A Distance.” Interment was at Franklin Township Cemetery in Greene County.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Meinecke) Hougham; son, Andy Hougham of Boone; daughters: Megan Hougham of Boone, Mary Rose Shelley of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Anna Rae Shelley of Minneapolis, Minn.; granddaughter, Ella; brothers, Tim Stevens of Fort Dodge and Ora (Nhan) Stevens of Jefferson; sisters, Bonnie Ikard of Perry and Willa Dwinell of Grand Junction; and other loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George Hougham and other loved ones.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home and Cremation Services.