Cathy Leigh Haugen

Cathy Leigh Haugen

November 12, 1956 - December 30, 2010

Cathy Leigh Haugen

November 12, 1956 - December 30, 2010

Obituary

Cathy Leigh Haugen passed away at her home in Mission Viejo, CA on December 30, 2010. Cathy was born on November 12, 1956 in Northern Minnesota. She grew up on her parents’ farm in Beltrami with her brother, Bruce, and her sister, Chrys.

Cathy graduated from Fertile-Beltrami High School in 1975 and attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis receiving a degree in Dental Hygiene.

She married Dan Haugen, of Fertile, on October 12, 1979 and they moved to San Diego. Her son, Austin was born in San Diego on December 16, 1985. Over the course of their 32 year marriage, they lived in San Diego, Atlanta, Santa Barbara, Denver and Mission Viejo. She practiced Dental Hygiene for 18 years and retired in 1994.

Cathy was generous, good hearted, had a great sense of humor and was a lively conversationalist. She was tenacious and tireless when it came to helping others and making them feel special. Her faith and her family were the most important things in her life.

Many times she was heard saying her biggest accomplishment in her life was her son, Austin. Cathy spent many years volunteering at Austin’s schools. She was always the ‘room mom’ of the class, the team mom, the Cub Scout leader, the school auction organizer, and the organizer of many other school events.

She is survived by her husband, Dan, her son, Austin, her parents, Walter and Charlene Stromstad, her brother, Bruce Stromstad, and sister, Chrys Stromstad O’Neill.

Cathy was a beloved wife and devoted mother and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

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31 responses to Cathy Leigh Haugen

  1. Leon Sulerud says:

    Dear Dan, Austin and Family,
    I’m so sorry for your loss. Cathy was a very special person and everyone was drawn to her wonderful personality and sense of humor. She was my friend in school and became like a sister to me during the years I worked on her parents farm. I’ll always remember how she’d make me mad and then make me laugh. She made me laugh a lot.

  2. Dan and Austin,
    Bruce and I are so stunned and sorrowed by Cathy’s sudden passing.
    We hold many special and fond memories of times with your family and with her by herself for Mary Kay in the many walks and birthday lunches over the years. She was always energetic and had a smile on her face. We will miss her greatly. Please stay in touch.
    Fondly, Bruce, Mary Kay, Kristy and Lori Freeman

  3. Nora Dowd says:

    I was so saddened to hear the news. Our family has such happy memories of times spent with yours, and I’m especially glad we reconnected during your CO years. Cathy and I had a lot of fun sharing adventures and school outings for Austin and Trevor. I’ll always smile when I think of Cathy, especially remembering her love of family,her Lord,friends,and well,just life.Our family will be keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers.

    Nora Dowd

  4. Pat Pritzl says:

    Dan,

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. I really enjoyed the time I got to spend working with Cathy in the clinic. She was fun to talk with, had a good sense of humor, loved her family and always kept me on my toes. I will miss seeing her walking in the neighborhood. May God be with you and family.

    Pat and Peggy Pritzl

  5. Dear Dan and Austin,

    The news of your dear wife and mom was such a shock to us and our hearts ache for you. I knew Cathy from Austin’s high school days in Colorado and I loved her energy and her sense of humor. She really got a kick out of life and always made me laugh. She and I planned Austin and Ryan’s graduation pool party and the day of the party was rainy and freezing cold. We HAD to laugh about that!

    Take good care and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

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