Sara Rose Hougom

She was born in La Crosse on August 17, 1991, to Michael I. and Sherry R. (Thurk) Hougom. At the age of 3, Sara began dance lessons at Marilyns School of Dance, with the support of her Grandma Carol. She continued studying jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical and ballet through her high school years at Mistys Dance Unlimited. As a youth, Sara performed with the Wildcats dance squad for the La Crosse Bobcats. Later, while in college, she danced with the Lady Spartans for the La Crosse Spartans football team.

Sara was a 2009 graduate of West Salem High School where she was a member of the West Salem Poms Dance Team which went to state twice while Sara was a member. She also participated in soccer, cross-country and track. Sara was currently a student at Western Technical College in La Crosse and was employed by Mannys Mexican Cocina in Onalaska.

Sara was a member of St. Josephs Catholic Church on St. Joseph Ridge where she was baptized, received her first communion, and confirmed. She served as a CCD teacher while in high school and substituted for her mother as a CCD teacher when needed. She was loved by all the children she taught.

Sara is the perfect daughter, her mom and her dad are so very proud of her. She was a great role model for her brother, Tim, who will always love her and will continue to look up to her. She often brightened the day of her grandparents and especially loved to simply pop in to visit and talk with her Grandma Sylvia. She loved spending time with her friends and, likewise, her friends loved being with her. It was said by many that Sara had a smile that could light up a room and she always tried her best to make everyone happy. Sara had an energetic zest for life.

She is survived by her mother, Sherry, of La Crosse and her father, Michael, of North Miami Beach, Fla.; her brother, Timothy, of La Crosse; her maternal grandparents, John and Sylvia Thurk of La Crosse; and her paternal grandparents, Irvin Hougom of La Crosse and Carol and Mike Earley of Coon Valley. She is further survived by paternal great grandmothers, Delenor Pohl of Onalaska and Agnes Earley of La Crosse; uncles and aunts, Gary and Kim Thurk of La Crosse, Tom and Karla Thurk of Bangor, Todd and Lois Baldwin of Stoddard, Cindy and Steve Lisney of La Farge, Daniel and Patty Hougom of West Salem, Steven Hougom of Rochester, Minn., Kathy and Loren Anderson of La Crosse, Mike L. Earley of La Crosse, and Don and Dorie Earley of Coon Valley; many cousins, whom she loved to spend time with; numerous friends; and her baby, her cat, Rascal. She was preceded in death by her maternal great grandparents, Claren and Rose Thurk and Albert and Lavina Schabel; a paternal great grandfather, Milo Pohl; and paternal great grandparents, Hazen and Mildred Hougom.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 30th, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Josephs Catholic Church on St. Joseph Ridge. Rev. Joseph C. Nakwah will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. So., La Crosse, on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred and will be donated in Saras name.