Haugen, Betty Anne (1926-2013)

HAUGEN, BRANSTAD

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 11/29/2013 at 15:12:17

Betty Anne Haugen
September 21, 1926 - November 11, 2013

FOREST CITY - Betty Anne Haugen, 87, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and formerly of Forest City, died on Monday, November 11, 2013, at Serenity Care in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Betty was born on September 21, 1926, in Leland, Iowa, the only child of Albert and Emma Branstad. She was fond of stating that she met the love of her life, Burton Claire Haugen, when she was five years old and he was six. Given her single-minded focus and goal-oriented nature, they, not surprisingly, married in 1948. Their union was blessed with four healthy children. After Claire died in 1992, Betty was left to live the last twenty-one years without her one true love. Nonetheless, as always, Betty soldiered on with a self-denying devotion to her family. In time, she was also fortunate to have five grandchildren and five (soon to be six) great-grandchildren.

After graduating from Waldorf College, Betty taught elementary school for two years in Lakota, Iowa. In time, she also became an education advocate for all of her children and grandchildren. After marrying, she spent most of the rest of her life in Forest City. A fantastic cook of the old-school, she prepared what her husband liked most, meat and potatoes. As all of her children will attest, she also had an ability to stretch a dollar or a meal to last for a full week. Moreover, her Easter hams and Sunday roasts still remain the stuff of family legend.

Musical from an early age, Betty eventually gave piano lessons to many youngsters in the Forest City area. She had a penchant for encouraging others and often picked up strays and invited them over for a meal or to stay awhile. Later in life, she developed a passion for doing missionary work at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City.

Betty led a simple live, one revolving around her children, education, nature in all its forms, and the labeling of any and all items in her children's homes. A non-swimmer, she never saw a boat ride she wouldn't take the whole family on. That adventurous spirit still lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Those left to remember the good times include David and Debra, of Cloquet, Minnesota, Tom and Phyllis, of Birchwood, Wisconsin, Ellen and Don, of Des Moines, and Susan and Mark, of Oakdale, Minnesota, as well as Ben and Connie, Andy and Megan, Marc, JT, Emily, Cale, Sam, Jack, Mia, Will, and one not yet born.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Claire.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, November 15, 2013, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Greg Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery in Leland, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday, November 14, 2013, at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark Street, Forest City, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Copyright © 2013, Petersen Lund Funeral Home

Petersen Lund Funeral Home
 

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