Sanford Leif Haugen was born June 21, 1912, in Harmony, Minnesota, to Lewis and Anna (Sigmund) Haugen. He was baptized in Harmony and when he was four years old his father died. He moved with his mother to New York and to Norway. In 1918, the family moved to Northfield and Sam was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, graduated from Northfield High School in 1934, and attended St. Olaf College for one year. He operated a service station on the corner of Woodley and Division for a few years and then decided to go into raising turkeys. He bought 40 acres and it nearly came to an end when he was wiped out in a blizzard in1940. He married Kathryn A. Anderson on December 18, 1943, at Linden Lutheran Church at Hanska. After marriage they made their home in Northfield and Kay assisted Sam in the operation. Over the years Sam not only raised turkeys, but hogs and beef cattle as well. He retired in 1982.

Sam was a longtime active member and past president of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He was a member and past president of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, delegate to the World Poultry Congress, and also served in other international capacities. He even enjoyed the privilege of delivering a turkey to Presidents Johnson and Truman at the White House. On May 25, 1974, he was awarded the St. Olaf College Distinguished Alumnus Award for the class of 1938. He was an eighteen year member of the Waldorf College Board of Regents, a longtime Rotarian and Melvin Jones Fellow, and the recipient of the Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award. He enjoyed reading and traveling. Sam was warm, kind, had a good sense of humor, and loved his wife and family dearly.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Kay; 3 daughters: Susan and husband Steve Dalgleish of Maple Valley, Washington, Mary Haugen of Plano, Texas, Kathy Haugen of Rosemount; 9 grandchildren: Jessica (Maziar) Sattari, Kirsten (Gary) Haines, Malia (Erik) Habel, Mara (David) Tisdale, Amanda Nallick, Leif (Jessica) Nallick, John, Tony and Anna Nallick; 7 great-grandchildren: Alec, Gavin, Hunter, Olivia, Noah, Sasha, Braelyn; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Abner and Olaf.

Funeral services will be 2 PM on Monday, March 22, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. John E. Quam officiating. Music will be provided by Donna Paulsen & Ruth Legvold. Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, Northfield. Casket bearers will be his grandchildren. Visitation will be at church one hour prior to the funeral.

Sam died peacefully at his home, surrounded by the loving care of his wife, family and care givers, on Thursday evening, March 18, 2010, at the age of 97.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Kathryn and Sanford Haugen Scholarship Fund at St. Olaf College or St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.