Raymond Charles Haugen, 98

Raymond Charles Haugen left his earthly home on Aug. 5, 2026, at the age of 98 1/2. He was born on the windswept prairies of Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada, on Feb. 26, 1928, to Emil and Ida (Usgaard) Haugen. They lived on a rented farm where they tried to eke out a living during the Great Depression. When Ray was 9 years old, the family moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where he graduated from high school in 1944 at age 16. He received his bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1949. He began his teaching career in Gary, Minnesota, where he taught science but also started a band and choir.

Raymond married Marilyn Ball in Fargo, North Dakota, and they had four children: Karen, Connie, Sonya and Dean. Then it was on to Montana, where he taught in Three Forks and Lewistown before being hired as principal of Libby High School. Tragedy struck when Marilyn died of scleroderma. Ray found love again when he met and married Andrea Agather in Libby. They had their first daughter, Krista, shortly before Ray was hired as superintendent of schools on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. After three years, they moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he completed his Ph.D. and served as superintendent of schools in the Tanque Verde School District. Their second daughter, Wendy, was born there. In total, he spent 41 years in public education.

Ray served in the US Army 82nd Airborne Division and retired as a lieutenant colonel after 30 years of active and reserve duty. He retired from public education in 1990 and served on the faculty of the University of Phoenix and also volunteered for Tucson’s Eastside Neighbors Volunteer Program.

In 2022, Ray and Andrea relocated to an independent living community in Sherwood, Oregon, to be closer to family. During their tenure at The Springs, Ray was known for his warmth and kindness, friendliness, “Hymn Sing” leadership and his famous “Put 'er there!” as he extended his outstretched hand. Ray passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 5, surrounded by family at his bedside.

Ray was known for his deep faith in God, his love of life, and his optimistic attitude and outlook. He was a talented educator, gifted in music, a great builder who possessed unmatched endurance and stamina, and one who consistently demonstrated a passion for serving others. He was a devoted husband, wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend. His quick wit, infectious smile, unconditional love and words of wisdom will be missed by all, along with the words with which he consistently ended conversations with his family and friends: “I love you and may the good Lord be with you always.”

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Orval and Ella; his first wife, Marilyn; daughter, Connie; son, Dean; son-in-law, Glen Davis and grandson-in-law, Israel Galaviz. 

He is survived by his wife, Andrea; daughters, Karen Davis, Sonya Haugen, Krista Haugen and Wendy McDougal (Pete); grandchildren Shauna Young (Steve), Marilyn Galaviz, Amanda Petrovskiy (Danny), Katelyn and Andrew McDougal; great-grandchildren, Hudson, Emma and Ainsley Young, Luca and Vivienne Galaviz and Zlatan and Solomon Petrovskiy, along with his “honorary son,” L.E. Fields (Sylvia) and numerous dear nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Ray’s life will take place on Sept. 12 in Wilsonville, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your favorite charity.