Eldren Haugen Family

Eldren Olaf Haugen, the second son of Emma and Julius Haugen was born in Broadview Township in 1917.  He grew to manhood here, receiving his education at the Freer school and religious instruction at the Union church.  He lived in the drought of the thirties, remembers when his Dad with the help of the boys stacked thistle, using molasses to make a better feed for the cattle.  There was a water shortage and cattle were herded wherever there was grass.  Eldren worked for Tom Dailey for $8 to $10 a month hauling corn bundles chopped out of ice and snow, and doing other chores.  He was in the CCC for a short time.

Eldren married Gerda Haugen, daughter of Gunhild and Iver Haugen at the Union church in 1942.  They have five children: 

  1. Eldo James born in 1944, married to Coleen Tharaldson in 1965, have two sons, Troy and Lynn.  ELDO farms with his Dad and also has two semi-trucks on the road
  2. Ronald Gary born in 1947, married to Diane Bryn, lives at Dazey, is a truck driver and mechanic.  They have two daughters, DeLayne and Nicoli
  3. Jeanne born in 1952 is a music major teaching at Robinson
  4. Karen born in 1954 a secretary for ADT at Denver, Colorado
  5. Kathleen born 1961 is a freshman at Hannaford public schools.

Eldren and Gerda have lived all their married life on the same farm except a short time at the John Nelson farm.  They have both been active in community and church work.  Eldren has been supervisor of Broadview Township, since 1950 and on the Union church council for many years.

One year while Eldren was combining a severe hailstorm hit.  He hid underneath the grain load but had to get out when it started to settle.  He walked home and his back showed large red spots where the hail hit.  After the storm was over, the fields looked like they had been plowed.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976  page 237