Anna E. Haugen

Anna E. Haugen age 90 of Detroit Lakes, MN died April 7, 2011 at the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes. Anna Erna Haugen was born on June 15, 1920 in Thalheim, Germany to Karl and Erna Nessman Hahn. At the age of 5 she moved to America with her family. They settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Anna left school at the age of 16 to work at a hosiery mill and later as a payroll clerk and bookkeeper. She then attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Teaneck, New Jersey. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at the age of 16 and her life changed. Jesus became not only her Lord and Savior but also her best friend. At Bible Camp in 1955 she met Lester Haugen of Detroit Lakes, MN. On November 10, 1956 they were united in marriage in Philadelphia. They made their home in Detroit Lakes, where Anna worked various jobs over the years. Anna served on the planning committee for Becker Countychr(39)s first food pantry. Church was a main focus in Annachr(39)s life. She was very active at both First Lutheran and Faith Lutheran Church. Anna and Lester were never blessed with children of their own, but they were foster parents to 40 children in 18 years. In 1972 they were the first foster parents in Detroit Lakes to receive the Minnesota Foster Parents of the Year Award. Anna and Lester were married 51 years. Anna is survived by a brother in law, Alfred Weiss, of Lancaster, PA; three sisters in law, Harriet Hahn, of Detroit Lakes, MN; Florence Gilbertson, of Detroit Lakes, MN; Viola Hahn, of Arlington Heights, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her Husband Lester (9/9/08); Parents; two brothers, Charles and Alfred Hahn; and one sister, Elsie Weiss.