Magnus Haugen was born November 14, 1893, at rural Hannaford, to John and Karl Haugen. There were 13 children in the family but one died in infancy. Only one is left living of the 12. That is the youngest, Herman Haugen.
It wasn't always easy to have food enough for such a large family at that time. My dad said he remembered how Grandma would cook a large kettle of potatoes and one of fish for breakfast before they left for school. Grandpa would walk many miles to bring flour home.
No matter how hard the times were and few conveniences, those were the people - our grandparents and parents who built the churches and schools. They worked together and it was all done by hand.
Malena Lee came to America from Stamnes, Norway, at age of 17. She and her sister, Gunhild (Mrs. Iver Haugen) came together to see their sister, Carrie (Mrs. Nick Kaastad) who came earlier. Carrie died of the flu in 1918, leaving two small children, Inga and Oscar, which Magnes and Malena cared for. Malena did housework and since she only spoke Norwegian, it wasn't always easy. She learned quickly the English language and read and talked well, but didn't write it.
Malena and Magnus were married March 17, 1917, at Union Church with the reception at the John Haugen home with a full meal. Four children were born to the union. Ingvard married Ruth Syvertson and they had one daughter, Lois; and three sons, Ralph, Roland and Marvin. Maynard married Margaret Grage and they had three sons, Mark, John and Steve. John died of an accident at age five. Inez married Oscar Stockeland and they have four children, Ione, Donald, James and Marlene. Lorraine married Harlan Hagelstrom and they have two sons, Harlan, Jr., and Michael. Magnus and Malena also brought up Gordon Gullickson, who died July 1, 1981, as a result of a horseback accident. His sister, Hazel, married Walter Hobert and they have two daughters, Diane and Darlene.
Magnus and Malena celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1967, with all family members present and over 400 guests. They lived always in Greenfield Township until later moved into Hannaford and their last years were spent with Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Stockeland. Magnus passed away November 1970, at the age of 77 years, and Malena continued to live with the Stockelands. In that time she had the chance to accompany her nephew and wife, Oscar and Beatrice Kaastad, to Norway and at the age of 78, she visited her old home place and church, nieces and nephews for the first time since she left at age of 17. She passed away in 1977, at the age of 83.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 146