THE BLAINE CO. JOURNAL NEWS-OPINION Wednesday, July 9, 2003

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Marie Estella Haugen, 93, was called to her eternal rest on July 3, 2003 in Havre. Visitation hours at the Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook were from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8. and 1:00-2:00 p.m. today (Wednesday, July 9). Services will be held at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook at 4:00 p.m. today (Wednesday) with Rev. Paul Spohn officiating. Ken Overcast will be vocalist and Rita Campbell organist. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and interment will be in the Kuper Memorial Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Marie may be sent to the Chinook Senior Center or the American Lutheran Church of Chinook. Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook is in charge of arrangements.

Marie was born to Dorsey Alfred and Daisy Pearl (Studebaker) Meek on July 23, 1909 in Rolla, North Dakota. She moved with her parents and four brothers to a farm north of Nashua in 1910. She attended the Porcupine Elementary School near Nashua and was the only child in the Meek family to complete her high school education-graduating from Nashua High School in

1927.

On January 25, 1928, Marie married Harold N. Haugen in a ceremony that was held in her parents home. Following their marriage, Marie worked alongside her husband on a farm near Glasgow during the Great Depression. Their first child, Waldon LeRoy was born on February 9, 1929, followed by siblings Lois (born on April 5, 1933), Russell (September 1, 1934) and Ellen (December 18, 1935)

Marie and Harold bought the old Cromley Place west of Chinook in the spring of 1941 and remained on the place that became known affectionately as “The Neversweat.” Through the years they worked hard to build up a small herd of Hereford cattle, tame the land and improve the home and1arm buildings. She was a resourceful person and a hard-working woman who sewed, cooked, canned, gardened, helped with the raising of crops, plus tended a wide array of animals, ranging from milk cows to Bantam chickens. Despite a busy schedule, she always welcomed visitors with hospitality and good home cooked meals. In the 1940’s and 50’s she was awarded dozens of blue ribbons at the Blame County Fair for her flowers, jellies, canned vegetables and relishes.
In 1988 Harold and Marie began renting an apartment in town during the cold winter months, and two years later they moved permanently into the Bear Paw Court in Chinook. They would drive out and spend time at “The Neversweat” and they enjoyed playing cards and dancing at the Senior Citizens Center.

Harold passed away on June 12, 1992 and Marie lived alone at the Bear Paw Court until October of 1994, when it became necessary for her move into the Northern Montana Care Center in Havre. At first she was a cheerful, helpful person at the Care Center, but in the last year of her life she suffered the ravages of dementia and a number of physical ailments including diabetes.
Survivors include daughters Lois Anderson of Puyallup, WA and Ellen (Keith) Opprecht of Ogden. UT; a son. Russell (Done) Haugen of Glasgow; daughter-in-law Genevieve Haugen; brother-in-law Mark Haugen of Chinook; 12 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; two great grandsons, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harold; son Waldon on May 14, 1982; granddaughter Anna Marie Opprecht on November 28, 1960; grandson Marshall Opprecht on June 15, 1966; three sisters, Roxie Agnes (died in infancy), Evelyn Schneider and Blanche Weaver; and four brothers, Floyd, Art, Vein and Robert Meek.

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