Corrine Hoium

Memorial services for Corrine Hoium of Starbuck, Minnesota will be Thursday, December 23, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck, with Reverend Paul Johnson and Pastor Craig Pederson officiating.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.  Burial will be in Fron Lutheran Cemetery, rural Starbuck.

Corrine Olive (Hoverud) Hoium was born May 4, 1933 at home in rural Langhei Township south of Starbuck, Minnesota to Clarence M. and Thea “Olive” (Vinge) Hoverud. She was baptized on June 4, 1933 and confirmed October 12, 1947 at West Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock. She had two brothers, Alvin & Odell and a sister, Marilyn.  They all worked together on the family farm and they spoke both Norwegian and English languages. Corrine attended Grades K – 8 at rural Country School #5 and then graduated from Starbuck High School in May 1951.  She helped in the Starbuck School Office during her senior year and following graduation was offered a secretarial job with the Superintendent.  In the years to follow she was given the title of Office Manager and she loved her career.  She enjoyed working with the Administration, Staff, Parents and mostly, the Students.

It was in the School Office where she met her future husband Joe when he would come to pick up his paycheck for driving School Bus #10.  They were united in marriage at West Zion Lutheran Church on June 29, 1953 surrounded by family and friends. They built a new home in Starbuck at 602 John Street in 1954 and were excited to start a family.  They became parents in 1962 when they adopted a son Gary and again when they got a call that there was a baby girl waiting for them in 1964.  A daughter, Karen completed their family.  Corrine took time off for a few years from her position at the school to be home and truly enjoyed being a Mother.  When she decided to go back to work, her Mother Olive came into the home to care for Gary and Karen.  The family enjoyed camping, bonfires, road trips, family vacations, backyard visits with the neighbors, Sundays with extended family, Annual Valley Fair trips, Twins games and Family Celebrations.  Corrine and Joe truly enjoyed spending time with all their siblings and their spouses. They all spent so much time together with so much laughter and love!

Corrine was very involved in the community over the years along with Joe and their handprints are all around!  They were truly part of the fabric of the community of Starbuck and were so honored to be Grand Marshalls in the Starbuck Heritage Days Parade as a tribute to their service to the community. She served as President of the Fron Ladies Aid, Sunday School Teacher and was active with the Starbuck Depot Society, Project Starbuck, Starbuck Beautification, Starbuck Study Club, VFW Auxiliary along with singing in the Church Choir and with the Snoose Street Singers! Corrine and her sister both sang with this group and many songs were sung in Norwegian and they wore authentic Norwegian Clothing. Growing up she and her sister talked a lot on the phone (even though they only lived about 3 blocks apart) and when it turned to Norwegian the families officially knew it was something likely about them or something they wanted to keep between just the two of them.  Corrine was an amazing seamstress sewing a lot of her own clothing and dresses for Karen. She loved to cook, bake and entertain.  Corrine was a very joyful person and always smiling!  She touched a lot of lives and had the ability to make everyone feel good in her presence.

Corrine retired at age 55 which gave her and Joe time to travel and enjoy more time together.  They traveled to Norway, Branson, Las Vegas, Duluth, Florida, Arizona and more but their favorite place was home! They truly just enjoyed being with all the friends, family and neighbors. Countless hours were spent volunteering in the community they so dearly loved and the church. They reserved Sundays for getting together every week with family!  Corrine and Joe were always quick to rush off to help Gary, Karen or any of the nieces or nephews.  Doing for others is what brought both of them the most joy and they were so very selfless. The very best part of her retirement was being a Grandma to Ashley, Jared, Ben, Joseph, and Andrew! She enjoyed attending activities, birthday parties and all their special events!  She was so thrilled when each of her Great-Grandchildren Henry, Barron and Thea were born and truly loved all their visits!

Joe & Corrine were inseparable and were so very happy!  They shared a beautiful life together, and they had many fun adventures! When Corrine was diagnosed with Dementia, Joe continued to lovingly care for her at home as long as he could.  They truly were an example to all of us what true love and devotion looks like. Joe passed away 6 months earlier and even though she had memory loss we were sure she may soon follow.

Corrine passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 18th at the Glacial Ridge Hospital with family by her side.  While she will be greatly missed, the thought of them spending their first Christmas in heaven together is so comforting and beautiful.

She is survived by daughter Karen (Milo) Holte of Starbuck, MN, son Gary (Joanna) Hoium of Coon Rapids, MN, five grandchildren: Ashley (Anthony) Odland of Plymouth, Jared Holte of Minneapolis, Ben (Joslyn) Hoium, Joseph ‘Joe’ Hoium and Andrew Hoium all of Coon Rapids, MN; three great-grandchildren: Henry, Barron and Thea Odland; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Corrine was preceded in death by her husband Joe, parents Clarence & Thea “Olive” Hoverud, brothers Alvin and Odell Hoverud, sister Marilyn Quitney, and many aunts, uncles, sister and brother-in-laws and friends.

Blessed be the memory of Corrine!

Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements for Corrine.