Duluth – Orrin Arnold Haugen, 87, of Duluth, a former longtime Hibbing resident, passed away peacefully at home on Monday January 8, 2024.
He was born in Thief River Falls, to Arnold and Ida (Mostrom) Haugen on October 15,1936. On May 9, 1959, he married Janice Sunsdahl in Goodridge.
Orrin was a U.S. Army Veteran serving from December 1959 to March 1962. After his discharge, Orrin and Janice farmed for a short time near Goodridge before settling in Hibbing, where they made their home for 52 years and raised their family before moving to Duluth, six years ago to be with their son, Keith.
Orrin worked for Hoover Construction in Virginia, MN, as a heavy equipment mechanic from 1966 until his retirement in 2000.
He was a member of the American Legion, 49ers, International Union of Operating Engineers, Moose Club, and The First Lutheran Church.
Orrin enjoyed construction, fixing, building, and remodeling projects, and he was a perfectionist in his work. Of course, Janice was right by his side helping no matter what the project was. Orrin and Janice loved spending time with family and friends at their hobby farm in Goodridge.
Janice and Orrin had a very special kind of love and respect for each other and were happily married for nearly 63 years. The two of them did everything together and never liked to be apart.
Orrin was a devoted husband, caring father, loving grandfather and proud great-grandfather. Family was the most important thing in his life. He had such a special bond with his two granddaughters and his great grandson, Hunter. They brought so much joy and happiness to his life. He was beaming with pride when his great-granddaughter Julia was born a month ago.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice; his brother, Floyd; and two sisters, Fern and Grace.
Orrin is survived by children, Keith (Mike Goerdt) Haugen and Debbie (Dan) Wiirre; granddaughters, Leah (Adam) Nori and Emily (Gregg) Malmgren; great-grandchildren, Hunter Hoopman, Julia Malmgren, and Harper Nori; siblings, Ardith Kloth, Lois Burstad, Edna Hawk, Sharron Johnson and Linda Homme; four sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews, which include great- and great-great-.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Memorial Service at First Lutheran Church, 2201 3rd Ave. East, Hibbing, MN 55746. This will be a combined service for Orrin and Janice. Janice passed away on February 25, 2022, and their promise to each other was to wait and have a combined funeral. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home. 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805. 218-727-3555. Inurnment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Duluth at a later date.
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