Ottumwa, Iowa - Miriam May Hopkins Hougland, 93, of Ottumwa, passed away at 9:50 a.m. May 17, 2025 with her children by her side at The Pines in Kirksville, MO.

She was born October 18, 1931 in Unionville, IA to William Theophilus McKinley and Zelma Mae Smith Hopkins. Miriam married Joe Hougland of Bloomfield and they later divorced.

A 1949 graduate of Unionville High School, she was a resident of Ottumwa most of her life. While raising her children, Miriam worked at various places including as a secretary in the union office of John Morrell & Co.

She was a member of Centerville Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Miriam was a collector and enjoyed attending garage sales and auctions. She loved her family, visiting her siblings, nieces and nephews, and talking politics with her brothers.

Miriam was a woman of faith and was a proud, strong woman.

Surviving are her children, Kathy (Mark) Hatfield of Kirksville, MO and Irvin Hougland of Ottumwa; 2 grandchildren, Michelle and Melinda both of Sacramento, CA; 3 great-grandchildren, Braeden, Barrett and Arabella; sisters, Marlene Frich of Morgantown, WV, Patricia (Bob) Hubbart of Arroyo Grande, CA, and Linda (Glen) Holm of Humeston; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, James Joseph Hougland; and siblings, Stephen, Robert, John and George Hopkins, Evelyn Scott, Mary Lou Thomas, Joyce McElderry Grosvenor and Lois Houser; as well as Miriam's companion for several years, Roy Conger.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, May 23rd at Reece Funeral Home. Burial will be in Taylor Cemetery in Unionville, IA. Visitation with family present to greet friends will be one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Taylor Cemetery.