Carol B. Haugen, 74, Minot, formerly of the Willow City area, died Wednesday, March 11, 2009.

Carol was born October 8, 1934 at Rugby, North Dakota, the daughter of Albert and Constance (Balke) Getzlaff. She was raised on the family farm near Willow City. Her heart always remained close to her farm home. She attended country school near the farm and high school at Willow City before graduating from Minot High School. She attended Minot Teacher's College and taught at country schools near Willow City for two terms.

Carol was united in marriage to John Haugen on October 14, 1957 at Minot. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2007 with children and grandchildren, who Carol considered her greatest treasure. After getting her children a good start in school, Carol went to work for Minot Public Schools in the food service department at North Hill Elementary School. She enjoyed being a" lunch lady" , retiring after 25 years of employment.

Carol was an excellent cook, famous in the family for her spaghetti and meatballs. Her flower garden was the envy of friends and family. She had a lifelong love of animals. The list of pets who were fortunate to be found by her is long. She enjoyed daily crossword puzzles with a morning cup of coffee and an occasional trip to the casino. Carol had been a member of the Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot.

Carol passed away at home surrounded by her loving family, following an 18 month battle with cancer. Her response to her terminal cancer diagnosis was "I've lived a wonderful life" . She was a source of strength to her family throughout her illness. May God bless the memory of Carol Haugen.

Her loving family includes : husband of fifty-one years, John; children, Carmen (Jim) Dolbeare, Willow City, ND, Kim (Vaughn) Fiskum, Minot, Kelly (Tony) Voeller, Minot, John (Kim) Haugen, Minot; grandchildren: Brent (Marisa) Dolbeare, Curtis Dolbeare, Derek Flory, Alissa (Allen) Moldenhauer, Michael and Matthew Fiskum, great-grandchildren: Reggan, Anabelle and Slade Dolbeare, Ally Moldenhauer and Addyson Flory; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Melvin and Glenn, and sisters, Doris, Evelyne and Marjorie.

Funeral service : Monday, March 16, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND.
Visitation: At the request of the family, there will be no reviewal, however friends and family are invited to sign the memorial register book on Sunday from Noon-5pm in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Souris Valley Animal Shelter.