Margaret was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on November 21, 1929, to new immigrants from the Netherlands. She grew up in Edmonton with three siblings, speaking only Dutch before she started elementary school. After graduating from school, Margaret travelled the roads of Alberta, and flew by military aircraft into remote communities such as Whitehorse and Yellowknife, collecting blood from Canadians for the Red Cross.

In 1953, Margaret’s sister, Rosalyn, asked Margaret to move to Whitehorse to help with her first child. Margaret jumped at the chance and booked a flight north. It was at the Queen’s Coronation Ball in June 1953 that Margaret met her future husband, Rolf Hougen. The story of their meeting became a legend in the Hougen family. Rolf attended the same ball with his own date. When Rolf saw Margaret, he went to his friend at the bar and asked for the name of the beautiful blonde woman. Soon after, Rolf took his date home, went back to the ball, and asked Margaret for a dance. That was the beginning of a lovely Yukon romance.

In 1955, Margaret married Rolf, starting their life together and supporting him through a lifetime of family business. They raised six children together and remained the love of each other’s lives for almost 70 years.

In the early years in Whitehorse, Margaret was a member of the Whitehorse community choir and a member of the local curling club. While raising her own large family, she quietly helped others in need. When asked what she would have been if she’d had a career outside of the home, she always smiled and said “a social worker.”

Margaret was the matriarch of a big, close knit family who were her pride, joy, and greatest accomplishment. Margaret will be deeply missed by her husband Rolf, their children Craig (MJ), Kelly (Heather), Karen (Jim), Erik (Kim), Greta (Bob), Maureen (Rick), their eighteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A private family service will be held to celebrate and recognize her long and fulfilling life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Yukon Foundation’s Hougen Family Fund which provides Yukoners with funding related to the study, preservation, and enhancement of historical and cultural activities. To donate or for more information, please go to https://www.yukonfoundation.com/donation-faqs, or email support@yukonfoundation.com, or call (867) 393-2454.