Douglas Paul Hultgren

Douglas was born June 5, 1945 in Hallock, MN to Harry and Alpha (Anderson) Hultgren, and was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad. After graduating from Karlstad High School in 1963 where he was active in the music program and lettered in 3 sports, Douglas received his BA Degree in Music Education from Mayville State College in 1968, and on August 4, 1968 he married his high school sweetheart, Francine Holm of Halma, MN. Together they taught high school in Clinton, MN from 1968-1975 (Doug band, choir, and music education and Francine home economics education).

Douglas and Francine made their home in several states throughout Francine’s graduate study while Douglas faithfully was her support: North Dakota State University in Fargo, University of Wisconsin in Madison, and Penn State University in State College. Since 1982 they have resided in Maryland where Francine is an Education and Policy professor and department chair at the University of Maryland, and Douglas worked for a property management company until his retirement in 2005.

Douglas enjoyed travel, good music and political debate. His genuine interest in people and his big and kind heart endeared him to many people in all walks of life. He particularly liked to listen to and tell good stories with a twinkle in his eyes and always with great laughter and compassion in his heart.

Douglas is survived by his wife Francine of 47 years; two brothers, Dayton (Ruth) of Minneapolis, MN and Delmoure (Garnet) of Detroit Lakes, MN; a sister-in-law, Geraldine Hultgren of Karlstad; a brother-in-law, Orvis Holm of Minneapolis; and many nieces and nephews, cousins, as well as a wide network of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Alpha; sister Harriet (Gerald) Soderfelt; brothers Donald (Annie), Duane, Dennis (Ethel), Dale, Dwight (Joyce), and Dane; mother-in-law Alice Holm, and brother-in-law Roger Holm.

A memorial service will be held later in Minneapolis. Plans are presently being made to establish a scholarship in Douglas’ name at the Tri-County School in Karlstad for a graduating senior majoring in music education.

To lose a loved one so unexpectedly, John O’Donohue has comforting words:

“Let us not look for you only in memory,

Where we would grow lonely without you.

You would want us to find you in presence,

Beside us when beauty brightens,

When kindness glows

And music echoes eternal tones.”