James Haugen

James Haugen, formerly of Milan, died Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Glenwood Village Care Center at the age of 89.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 1:30PM at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan with Rev. Kristine Isder officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.

James Oliver Haugen was born in Milan, Minnesota on September 22, 1934 to Johannes and Olga (Sjaahem) Haugen.  He grew up on the family farm and attended Milan High School, graduating in 1952.  Following high school, he attended one year at the University of Minnesota but returned to the family farm to help his family.  He met Peggy Ward at a dance in Montevideo and the two were united in marriage on July 23, 1960 at Our Savior's Lutheran Chapel in Montevideo.  To this union 5 children were born: Steven, Julie, Scott, Bryan, and Brent.  In addition to farming Jim drove school bus, worked construction and grain sampling for the State of Minnesota.   He lived in the Milan area all his life except for moving in 2019 to Alexandria.

Jim was a lifetime member of Kviteseid Lutheran Church.  He was active in community organizations including being a 4-H leader, library board member, serving on the Chippewa County Fair Board, and the Community Action Agency Board. One of his highlights of serving on the Community Action Agency Board was to meet President Jimmy Carter.  In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, reading, fishing, and hunting. Family would say that Jim could fix anything, or he thought he could fix anything.   But by far his most cherished time was spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He did not miss opportunities to watch his kids and grandkids show at fairs and other livestock shows.

Jim is survived by his wife, Peggy; children: Steven (Carmen), Montevideo, MN, Julie (Steven) Jahn, Kerkhoven, MN, Scott (Lisa), New Prague, MN, Bryan (Cora), Vadnais Heights, MN, Brent (Jeanette), Argusville, ND; grandchildren: Laura (Kennard) Fellbaum, Eric (Emma) Haugen, Briana (Ben) Ferguson, Michael Jahn, Jason (Cortney) Haugen, Ryan (Kayla) Haugen,  Mara Haugen, Natasha (Troy) Haugen-Brua, Alexandra (Marcus) Todd, Daniel (Crystal) Haugen, Elaina Haugen; great-grandchildren: Paige, Megan, Carly, Brayden, Sophie, Melanie, Emily, Sawyer, Hayden, Beau, Tucker, James, Wyatt, Evie; siblings: Torval Haugen, Puyallup, WA, Ralph Haugen, Plymouth, MN, Christine Andreas, Montevideo, MN, Mary McQuillan, Pine City, MN; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters-in law: Marilyn Haugen, Hazel Haugen; brothers-in- law, Stan Andreas and Bill McQuillan.