Joshua S. Haugo

Joshua S. Haugo, age 37 of Ankeny, IA, formerly rural Northwood, IA died unexpectedly on Monday, June 13, 2022.
A public visitation for Josh will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on June 24, 2022, at Schott Funeral Homes – Mittelstadt Chapel, 902 E. Main St. Lake Mills, IA 50450.
Joshua Scott Haugo was born on June 9, 1985, in Albert Lea, Minnesota to parents Jon and Pam Haugo. He was the oldest of three siblings. As a child, Josh enjoyed building with Legos, playing video games with cousins, tending to the garden at his grandma and grandpa Huntley's, and being at Rice Lake, whether fishing or golfing, with his grandma and grandpa Haugo.
When Josh was in high school, he was on the cross-country team and was proud to be a state qualifier on the golf team. He enjoyed snowmobiling, and his love for the motorcycle began at this age when his dad was teaching him to ride. Occasionally, you could find Josh throwing around a few dollars at the neighborhood card game at the Stene shed. Josh graduated as Salutatorian of the Lake Mills High School Class of 2003 – one spot behind Valedictorian and Josh's best friend, Kai Tsuruta.
Following high school, Josh attended Iowa State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Biology. Using that degree, Josh began working for Monsanto for a few years. Josh later returned to college, this time at the University of Iowa to obtain his law degree – graduating in 2015. As an Attorney, Josh worked for a law firm in St. Cloud, MN for a year before moving to Ankeny, IA working for Kemin Industries as a Corporate Attorney. Most recently, Josh was the Bureau Chief for the Department of Human Services of Iowa.
Josh's greatest joy in life came with the birth of his two sons: Joren and Jens. He loved sharing the same interests as the boys – whether that was playing Pokémon with Joren or tinkering on cars or computers with Jens. Together, he liked taking the boys fishing and playing tennis. Josh enjoyed when he could bring his children home to the family farm, where the two boys could live the farm life for a few days: riding in tractors, playing in the shed, and getting their hands dirty every once in a while!
Josh was very intuitive. He was the type of person who needed to know how things worked. He would take things apart just to see what everything was inside, and how everything fit together. Often times, he forgot the last (and maybe most important) part – putting everything back together! Josh was very intelligent. He enjoyed deep discussions, debate, and sharing his knowledge about politics, especially with his aunt, Debbie. Josh was a part of the Pete Buttigieg campaign when he ran for President in 2020. He also helped at the Polk County Caucuses. When Josh wanted some time to himself, he enjoyed fishing, motorcycle rides, tinkering on vehicles, and spending time outdoors. A few memorable trips were going on a cross country motorcycle trip, and recently going to South Dakota.
Smart, adventurous, and intuitive are all traits that describe Josh. Above all, he had a very deep admiration and love for his two boys. Josh was loved by his family and friends, and we will all miss the card games, motorcycle rides, debates, and the conversations that he shared with so many.
He will always be remembered by his two sons, Joren and Jens; parents, Jon and Pam Haugo of rural Northwood, IA; sister, Kalli (Mike) Fitzgerald and their children, Dylan, Blake and Sawyer of Mechanicsville, IA; brother, Cody Haugo and fiancée Mackenzie Nehls of Des Moines, IA; grandparents, Bev Haugo of Lake Mills, IA and Verlys Huntley of rural Emmons, MN; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended relatives and friends.
Josh is preceded in death by both grandpas, Gene Haugo and Wayne Huntley.
Blessed be his memory.