Joan Iris Haugen

A Funeral Service for Joan Haugen will take place Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Moe Lutheran Church in Roseau, MN at 2:00 pm with a visitation one hour prior. A Visitation will also be held the night before, October 24 at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau from 5:00-7:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Interment will be held at Moose River Cemetery in Gatzke.

Joan Iris (Taie) Haugen passed away peacefully at the Thief River Care Center on October 20, 2023 in Thief River Falls, MN. 

Joan was born on October 22, 1937 to Bill and Inez (Larson) Taie in Thief River Falls, MN.  She graduated from Middle River High School in 1955 and moved to Minneapolis shortly after. Joan married Dennis Haugen on August 18, 1956 in Gatzke, MN. They lived in the Twin Cities area for 12 years, first downtown Minneapolis and later to the suburbs, Coon Rapids and Anoka. Together they raised six children.  

In 1968 they moved to Roseau, and Joan worked while raising her family. She worked for Polaris, Bob Lund, Marlene Nelson, George Larson, Bill and Carol Rey, and the Soil & Water Conservation Service. Joan also owned and operated the Badger Enterprise. She was known for her weekly column “Looking Out Joan’s Window.” 

Joan was a woman of many talents. She could play the piano and organ by ear and had a beautiful harmonizing voice. She was very creative and loved decorating. When there was a celebration in the family, she did her best to make it fun for everyone. Joan was instrumental in starting our annual North-South campout that the family has enjoyed for generations. She had a great sense of humor and liked to play jokes on her grandchildren. Joan had a passion for gardening and created beautiful gardens wherever she lived, from Minnesota to Arizona. Joan will also be remembered for treating everyone with kindness.  She was humbly proud and supportive of her family at all times. 

Joan was reunited with her high school sweetheart, Wally Sparby, in December 2011. Together they enjoyed many years of traveling, and spending their winters in Arizona and summers at Lake Sarah. They enjoyed family time, visiting past friends and making new friends. They have been inseparable for the last twelve years.    

Joan is survived by her children, Keith (Deb) Haugen of Roseau, Danyce (Lee) Roppe of Champlin, Kristi (Chip) Ammerman of Moorhead, Daidre (Gaylan) Erickson of Roseau, Kim (Steve) Czeh, of Roseau, and Donn (Jodee) Haugen, of Roseau,  and Companion Wally Sparby of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Sara, Joe, Erin, Jon, Ben, Corey, Kevin, Andy, Will, Katie, Emma, and Jack; great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Carter, Grayson, Haven, Cassidy, Hunter, Halen, Crue, Henley, Grady, Crosby, Avery and Ainsley; great-great grandchild, Walker. Step-grandchildren Kim and Dave, Step great-grandchildren Lexi, Marshall and Manning; her brother Darrell (LaLa) Taie of Coon Rapids; sister-in-law, Carolyn (Orin) Lee of Williams, and several nieces, nephews and many friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Inez Taie and Dennis Haugen, Ronnie and Ordella Haugen

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the Thief River Care Center staff for their compassianate care they gave to Joan.   

Blessed be the memory of Joan Haugen. 

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