Oliver P. Haugen

Oliver P. Haugen, 95, of Mayville, died Thursday, January 31, 2008, at the MeritCare Hospital in Fargo. He was born on April 18, 1912, in Ryder, ND, the son of Peter and Marie (Berg) Haugen. Oliver moved with his parents at a young age to Portland, ND, where he attended rural school at Viking 10 and worked for various farmers. In 1932, he attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, earning his credential in Practical Electricity. On June 29, 1939, Oliver married Agnes Brenden in Portland. That year, he and his brother, Alf, started farming together west of Portland and continued to farm until 1978. In 1949, he and Agnes moved into Mayville where the two brothers built an alfalfa dehydrating plant in 1950 and Haugen Feed Company in 1966. In 1974 he and Alf started POMA Industries, where he patented a “Folding Marker for Agricultural Implement”. He retired at the age of 87. Oliver was Chairman of the Board of First State Bank, Buxton, Thompson and Grand Forks for 32 years. He was also active for many years at Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland and served on the Board of Directors at the Luther Memorial Home, Union Hospital, Hospice of the Red River Valley and Mayville Housing. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were very important to him. In his retirement he enjoyed traveling with them, and at the age of 69, he started downhill skiing which he continued to enjoy with his family until the age of 93. Oliver is survived by one daughter, Marilyn (Ole) Aarsvold of Blanchard; one son, Dennis (Deborah) Haugen of Portland; 5 grandchildren, Jon (Michelle) Aarsvold, Bruce (Cheryl) Aarsvold, Julie (Mark) Hagen, Nicole (Anthony) Prom and Peter Haugen; 9 great grandchildren, Megan, Amy, Emily, Jacob, Alyssa, Ashley, Jared Aarsvold, Amanda and Samantha Hagen. He is also survived by one sister, Juneth Nelson of Mesa, AZ; two brothers, Alf (Helen) Haugen and Palmer Haugen both of Mayville. He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes on June 5, 1989; one great grandson, Jon David Aarsvold; and two sisters, Elvina Haagenson and Mildred Finstad. FUNERAL SERVICE: Monday, February 4, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Mayville Lutheran Church, Mayville, ND. VISITATION: Sunday, February 3, 2008, from 1-3 PM, at Baker Funeral Home in Mayville, and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. BURIAL: Mayville Cemetery, Mayville, ND.