John Haugen, 72, of rural Grenora, ND, passed away Sunday evening, March 31, 2019 at Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston.

John Ingward Haugen was born July 1, 1946, in Williston, ND, to Oliver and Emma (Hanson) Haugen. He was raised on the family farm south of Grenora and attended school in Hanks and Grenora, graduating from Grenora High School in 1964.

John started driving a tractor at the young age of 11. He and his two older brothers worked hand in hand with their mother Emma and aunt Anna on the farm. The family raised grain as well as beef and dairy cattle. John farmed and raised cattle for many years with his brother Ted. He later helped the Poeckes family farming operation until he retired in 2014.
John was very active in 4-H growing up and won several awards including a trip to Chicago. He enjoyed fishing, especially on the ice, and hunting. He also took several snowmobiling trips to Yellowstone.

John enjoyed cruising the countryside with his sweetheart Bernice by his side. When John was unable to care for Bernice at home, it did not stop him from being with her. He would spend countless hours a day by her side not hardly missing a day. John also loved his cats. He cherished and would do anything for them.

John was an avid gardener. He could hardly wait until February when the Gurney’s Seed catalogs would start arriving in the mail. He was very well known for his large potatoes and other produce that he was able to grow. People would rave about the size of his potatoes and pumpkins. John always looked forward to going to the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. He enjoyed visiting with people and exchanging stories.

John was known as a gentle giant and had a heart of gold. He always saw the positive in people and was willing to help anybody in need. When you would walk into a room, you could tell John was there with his big hearty laugh and a huge smile on his face. He lived life to the fullest up until the last few months of his life.

John is survived by his special friend Bernice (Hendrickson) Haugen, Williston; special friends Brad and Donna Peterson and Tony and Dori Hendrickson, Williston; nieces Heidi (Jeremy) Haugen-Grohs, Kenmare, and Heather Andersen, Grenora; great-nephew Colin Robbins, Minot; and his very dear farm cats.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Marvin and Ted.

Thank You