Ken Haugen

Kenneth Wayne Haugen, 73, passed away after a brief illness with cancer, at the Aurora Hospice House in Weslaco, Texas, on April 24, 2016. At his request, he was cremated, and there will be a memorial service in the future. Sadly, his brother, Harlan, passed away a week before him.

Ken was born on Jan. 23, 1943, in Harmony, Minn., to Arthur and Ruby (Lindelien) Haugen. He graduated from Harmony High School in 1961, where he played football and basketball. He was very proud to have played quarterback and had a perfect season. He went on to attend the University of Minnesota, where he received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in accounting and graduated summa cum laude.

On June 11, 1995, he married Diane Ackerman in Las Vegas. The couple lived both in Blue Grass, Iowa, where he enjoyed helping his wife and her mother on their farm in the summer, and in Rochester, Minn., during tax season, where Kenneth, a CPA, owned and managed his own tax business for 35 years. When he retired, Ken lived full-time in Davenport, Iowa, where he and Diane became real estate developers and owners of Harmony Land Development, and built several successful developments.

Ken loved traveling and camping with Diane. He loved watching college football and basketball and grew to be a great Hawkeye fan when his Gophers were not winning. He also liked to fish, swim, bike, golf, dance, do sudoku puzzles, and read and learn incessantly on the Internet. He and Diane were network marketers and traveled to India and Belize teaching others how to have their own successful Internet business. They made many friends all over the world, which greatly enriched their lives.

Ken was extremely generous and loved to cook and entertain friends. Ken had a green thumb and was very talented at planting and making things grow.

Ken and Diane thoroughly enjoyed attending the Adventure Christian Church in Davenport. He and his soulmate of 26 years, Diane, moved to the Rio Grande Valley and formed the Palm Tree Ministry for the purpose of helping the less fortunate and doing humanitarian projects.

We will all miss Ken's quick wit and laughter, gentle ways, generous spirit, his many talents and intelligence and his big bear hugs. May his sweet soul rest in peace.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Diane; two daughters; one granddaughter; two sisters, Candis Wiste, of Hokah, Minn., and Carron (Ron) Schnoor, of Stockton, Iowa; three brothers, Norm (Nancy) Haugen, of San Antonio, Texas, Al Haugen, of St. Louis, Mo., and Don Haugen, of St. Johns, Ariz.; many nieces and nephews; and several special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and his brother, Harlan.

Memorials may be made to Aurora House Foundation, Box 976, Weslaco, Texas 78599, or your favorite charity. Other condolences may be sent to Diane Haugen, 1015 N Texas Blvd., Suite 20B, Weslaco, Texas 78596.