David Haugo, age 82, of Waubun, MN, died on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at Essentia Health in Detroit Lakes, MN.

David Arthur Haugo was born on July 17, 1934 in Mahnomen, MN. He was the oldest of nine children born to Olaf and Hazel (Syverson) Haugo. David attended country school in Popple Grove Township and graduated from the Northwest School of Agriculture in 1952. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, MN and married Jean Skaarer on April 7, 1961 at the Wild Rice Parsonage.

A true steward of the land, Dave was a lifelong resident of Popple Grove Township in Mahnomen County. He believed, with total certainty, that Popple Grove was the greatest place on earth. His love of the land was infectious and anyone who visited the farm was given a tour that was not just about the farm, but an informed lecture about present day agriculture. Rightfully proud of his successful farming partnership with his sons, Allan and John, he was looking forward to supporting the next generation of grandsons who were interested in carrying on the fifth generation of Haugo farming in Mahnomen County.

Being an active community member was important to Dave and community went well beyond just the local level. He sat on and chaired numerous local, state and national agricultural boards. Many of the agricultural programs Dave advocated at the national level still provide the basic framework for the safety net in todays farm programs.

Dave was a lifelong and committed DFL'er and, like his father, was a passionate advocate for cooperatives and their role in ensuring economic fairness for farmers. He was active in supporting Democratic candidates often using the farm as a backdrop for numerous fundraisers and visits from foreign delegations touring Minnesota farms. Minnesota farmers knew him for his service as President of the Minnesota Wheat Growers Association. Most recently, was appointed as Chair of the Farm Service Agency state committee. As one colleague noted, 'if you wanted to talk farming, Dave was your go to guy.'

Family was central for Dave and that family included a wide range of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Always an avid sports fan of local teams, and any team wearing a Minnesota jersey, Dave spent much of his time attending the sporting events of his children and grandchildren. He was known for his passionate support of and occasional objection to a referee or coaching decision, but he loved to compete and excel and would except nothing less than total fairness in the game.

Despite his numerous achievements, Dave's finest accomplishment was his family, his six children and 19 grandchildren. He passed on not only a deep appreciation of the family's farming heritage, but as one of his granddaughters said, 'he encouraged us to be smart, curious, political and passionate about the world around us.' He left many better for having known him. He was loved dearly and he will be deeply missed.

Dave is survived by his wife Jean; children: Ann Oanes (Troy), Moorhead, Allan (Vicki), Waubun, John (Jackie), Mahnomen, Paul, Maple Grove, Gary (Amie), Fargo and Dean (Jennifer), Moorhead and 19 beloved grandchildren. Siblings: John (Sharon), Donald (Iryna), Carol Olsen (Roger), George (Mary), Patricia Wheaton (Blair) and sister-in-law, Dianne Haugo and 26 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Hazel, and siblings: Allan, Marie, and Olaf.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 pm, Sunday, March 19, 2017, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm, at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, MN.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 20, 2017, at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church.