Joseph A. Haugen

Joseph A. Haugen, 90, of Coon Valley died Monday August 10, 2015 at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby. Joseph was born May 7, 1925 to John and Amanda (Brennum) Haugen in Timber Coulee, rural Coon Valley. The family moved to the South Ridge of Coon Valley in 1924 where he lived the rest of his life. He was baptized and confirmed at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church and attended Erickson School. Joseph farmed his entire life on the Haugen home farm with his brother Ernest. He was a strong believer and supporter of small farms and conservation. The Haugen family farm, a century farm, was one of the first that initiated soil conservation practices that changed farming nationwide. It began in 1933 with the Coon Creek Watershed project. They have maintained all the original conservation practices to this day. Joseph was a self-taught mechanic and fixed everything on the farm. Every fence post on the farm was hand made. He was a lifetime member of the Sons of Norway in La Crosse and the Coon Valley Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his cousins, neighbors and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers Arthur in 1937 and Ernest in 2011.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday August 13, 2015 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time. Online condolences may be offered at selandsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Coon Valley Lutheran Church or the charity of choice.