1929
Virgil
2011
Virgil Haugen
May 15, 1929 — March 14, 2011
Virgil F. Haugen was born on May 15, 1929, in Fosston Minnesota. He graduated from Fosston High School in 1947, and worked for a short time with his father in the family owned machine shop in Fosston. In 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve his country. He completed his basic training at Great Lakes Training Center north of Chicago, and subsequently stationed in Pensacola, Florida as an aircraft mechanic during the Korean War, where he was nicknamed "Scrawny". Upon receiving an Honorable discharge after 4 years, he married Lucille Tangen on July 31, 1954. Virgil attended the University of North Dakota earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1958. Upon graduation, he accepted a sales position with Sunstrand Corporation in Rockford, Illinois, and then moved to Minneapolis to work for Electric Machinery, Corp. in 1960. After a number of mergers and company buy outs, he retired from Cooper Industries after 36 years.
Virgil and Lucille were married for 56 wonderful years and had 3 children; Jeff, born in 1955, Diane, born in 1961, and Jacqueline, born in 1968. Virgil was also a loving grandfather to 8 children and a great grandfather to 3, with a 4th due to arrive in June. Virgil had special nicknames for his three children as they grew up and were known as "Buster" (Jeff), "Gert" (Diane), and "Snoose" (Jacqueline).
Virgil was a true American Patriot. He was a Lifetime Member and two time Past Commander of the Fridley American Legion, Post 303. Virgil and Lucille served together as Commander and Ladies Auxiliary President, respectively during 1999-2000, which was only the 6th time in the history of the Fridley Post that a husband and wife served in those positions at the same time. He served in many roles and on many committeesa�(TM) over the years, such as the Executive Board, Gaming Committee, Housing Corporation, Assistant Editor of the Post Newsletter (which earned National recognition in 2008), and Liaison to the Fridley American Legion Baseball Team, being honored in 2010 with jersey #15, being retired in his honor. His patriotism showed through by his insistence that flag poles flying the American Flag be flown not only at his home, but the homes of all of his children. Virgil also delighted children over the years by dressing up as Santa Claus during the holidays, and going to homes to wish them a Merry Christmas.
Virgil and Lucille enjoyed traveling around the United States from coast to coast, north to south, including experiencing the beauty of Alaska on an Alaskan cruise, and spending many vacations in Branson, Missouri. They also shared many wonderful times in Brainerd, MN at their time share at Breezy Point. He loved fishing with his wife and bringing home the daily catch for a "fish fry" at home on Friday nights. Camping with family and friends in Aitkin, MN was also a favorite of his. For their entire 56 years of marriage Virgil loved to go dancing with Lucille. They truly danced as "One". On numerous occasions, his children would join them and watch in awe as they lovingly danced together at local dance halls, American Legions, and VFW posts.
Virgil lived life with a set of strong values, Family, Country, Commitment, Work Ethic, and providing for his family and others. No matter who you were or what you did, he treated everyone like a friend and equal. He lived life unselfishly, putting others needs before his.
After being diagnosed with and battling Alzheimera�(TM)s and lung cancer, he left our world on Monday, March 14, 2011. In his last moments, he kissed his wife, told her he loved her, closed his eyes, and went to a more peaceful place in heaven with the Lord and his family and friends who passed before him. We know he is now looking over us and can once again remember all the wonderful times of his life on earth. He is smiling with pride for the legacy he has built.
You are a better person for having known and loved Virgil. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and everyone he touched during his 81 years.
Survived by loving wife of 56 years, Lucille; children, Jeffery (Lynette), Diane Haugen, Jacqueline (Patrick) Gibbs; grandchildren, Angela (Jason) Eckman, William (Tiffany), Nicholas and Joseph Haugen, John and Anthony Knutson, J.P. and Savanah Gibbs; 3 great-grandchildren; brother, Ralph (Ann) Haugen.
Visitation 1-4 PM Sunday with a 2PM American Legion service at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 Hwy. 65 NE, Fridley. Funeral service Monday 11AM, with visitation one hour prior at St. Philip's Lutheran Church, 6180 Hwy. 65 NE, Fridley. Interment Hillside Cemetery, Mpls. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.
Miller Funeral Home
Fridley Chapel
763-571-1300
www.millerfuneralfridley.com
Virgil and Lucille were married for 56 wonderful years and had 3 children; Jeff, born in 1955, Diane, born in 1961, and Jacqueline, born in 1968. Virgil was also a loving grandfather to 8 children and a great grandfather to 3, with a 4th due to arrive in June. Virgil had special nicknames for his three children as they grew up and were known as "Buster" (Jeff), "Gert" (Diane), and "Snoose" (Jacqueline).
Virgil was a true American Patriot. He was a Lifetime Member and two time Past Commander of the Fridley American Legion, Post 303. Virgil and Lucille served together as Commander and Ladies Auxiliary President, respectively during 1999-2000, which was only the 6th time in the history of the Fridley Post that a husband and wife served in those positions at the same time. He served in many roles and on many committeesa�(TM) over the years, such as the Executive Board, Gaming Committee, Housing Corporation, Assistant Editor of the Post Newsletter (which earned National recognition in 2008), and Liaison to the Fridley American Legion Baseball Team, being honored in 2010 with jersey #15, being retired in his honor. His patriotism showed through by his insistence that flag poles flying the American Flag be flown not only at his home, but the homes of all of his children. Virgil also delighted children over the years by dressing up as Santa Claus during the holidays, and going to homes to wish them a Merry Christmas.
Virgil and Lucille enjoyed traveling around the United States from coast to coast, north to south, including experiencing the beauty of Alaska on an Alaskan cruise, and spending many vacations in Branson, Missouri. They also shared many wonderful times in Brainerd, MN at their time share at Breezy Point. He loved fishing with his wife and bringing home the daily catch for a "fish fry" at home on Friday nights. Camping with family and friends in Aitkin, MN was also a favorite of his. For their entire 56 years of marriage Virgil loved to go dancing with Lucille. They truly danced as "One". On numerous occasions, his children would join them and watch in awe as they lovingly danced together at local dance halls, American Legions, and VFW posts.
Virgil lived life with a set of strong values, Family, Country, Commitment, Work Ethic, and providing for his family and others. No matter who you were or what you did, he treated everyone like a friend and equal. He lived life unselfishly, putting others needs before his.
After being diagnosed with and battling Alzheimera�(TM)s and lung cancer, he left our world on Monday, March 14, 2011. In his last moments, he kissed his wife, told her he loved her, closed his eyes, and went to a more peaceful place in heaven with the Lord and his family and friends who passed before him. We know he is now looking over us and can once again remember all the wonderful times of his life on earth. He is smiling with pride for the legacy he has built.
You are a better person for having known and loved Virgil. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and everyone he touched during his 81 years.
Survived by loving wife of 56 years, Lucille; children, Jeffery (Lynette), Diane Haugen, Jacqueline (Patrick) Gibbs; grandchildren, Angela (Jason) Eckman, William (Tiffany), Nicholas and Joseph Haugen, John and Anthony Knutson, J.P. and Savanah Gibbs; 3 great-grandchildren; brother, Ralph (Ann) Haugen.
Visitation 1-4 PM Sunday with a 2PM American Legion service at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 Hwy. 65 NE, Fridley. Funeral service Monday 11AM, with visitation one hour prior at St. Philip's Lutheran Church, 6180 Hwy. 65 NE, Fridley. Interment Hillside Cemetery, Mpls. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.
Miller Funeral Home
Fridley Chapel
763-571-1300
www.millerfuneralfridley.com
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