Lois A. Haugen

Lois Arlene Haugen (95) of Fort Collins, Colorado passed away January 4, 2024, at her residence, MacKenzie Place in Fort Collins, Colorado. Her memorial service will be held Monday, January 22, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Lois was born November 22nd, 1928, in Wilton, North Dakota to George and Edna (Nord) Gray. She was educated in the public schools in Wilton, North Dakota and attended the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks where she earned a BS in English. She married Earl Haugen on October 4th, 1950, at the First Presbyterian Church in Wilton, North Dakota. Later in her career she earned her MS in Education from the Colorado Teachers College in Greeley, Colorado (now known as University of Northern Colorado).
Her thirty-four-year teaching career, in primary grades and at the high school level, touched the lives of students in five different states. She retired from teaching at DeKalb Senior High School in DeKalb, Illinois in 1984. To this day, former students refer to her College Prep course as the most valuable class they took in high school.

Earl and Lois spent their retirement years between their mountain home in Estes Park, Colorado, and their farm in North Dakota. They were active with the Bismarck Farmer's Market and were especially appreciated for their beautiful flowers. Lois was an avid gardener and consistently planned her next "crop" by browsing through every new seed catalog that arrived in the mail each January. Some of her favorites were gladiolus, black-bearded wheat, and many varieties of vegetables. She exercised her creativity by weaving intricate designs with the wheat she and Earl grew. Earl passed away in 2003 and Lois continued to enjoy summers independently on the farm until she was nearly 90 years of age.

Family was everything to Lois and Earl, and they loved keeping up with the activities of their children and grandchildren. Lois enjoyed sharing stories of her family history and she was both an accomplished and enthusiastic baker. She was well-known in her family for the delicious caramel rolls, crescents, and lefse she made. She had the bonus of being able to watch some of her grandchildren replicate those same baked goods for her to enjoy later in her life.

Survivors include: two sons: Stuart (Beccy) of Paris, France and Doug (Kate) of Fort Collins, Colorado; two daughters: Patti Griswold of Mendota, Illinois and Shelly Fischer of Fort Collins, Colorado; her adopted daughter Yvonne Fiala Murphy (Mario) of Scottsdale, Arizona; sons-in-law Blake Fischer of Fort Collins, Colorado and Kurt Murphy of Scottsdale, Arizona; ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and her rescued kittens, Maggie and Jiggs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, son-in-law Ron Griswold nephew, Scott Thorson, two sisters Shirley Thorson and Joann Haugen and her adopted granddaughter, Nikki Murphy.

Arrangements were made by Goes Funeral Home of Fort Collins, Colorado. Please share your memories of Lois by visiting their memorial site.

Cards can be sent in care of Shelly Fischer, 5408 S. Timberline, Ft. Collins, CO 80528.

Memorial funds will be directed to Larimer County Humane Society and Our Saviours Lutheran Church.