Arnold M. Haugen, 89, of Bradenton, Florida and formerly Brooklyn, Michigan, went home to his Lord and Savior, Friday, September 25, 2015 under the care of family and Blake Medical Center.
Arnie was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on November 2, 1925. His parents, Alfred and Dena Julson Haugen; sisters – May Haugen, Jennie Graves, and brother Alfred, Jr., preceded him in death.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Virginia Watts Haugen and children – Karen (George) Wilcox of Fairfield Glade, TN; Dena (John) Dardzinski of Dataw Island, SC; and Craig (Kathi) Haugen of Temperance, MI; three granddaughters – Lindsey, Amber and Cassi Haugen; two great‐grandchildren – Mackenzie and Jasper; two brothers: Reverend Roald (Marilyn) Haugen of Sturgeon Bay, WI; Gordon (Sharon) Haugen of North Aurora, IL; three sisters‐in‐laws: Dorothy Watts Coker of Bristol, TN; Frances Watts of Fountain Valley, CA; and Elizabeth Watts of Machias, NY.; and 27 nieces and nephews and their children.
Arnie grew up in a Norwegian‐American family, the second son of a shoemaker in Eau Claire, WI. He was a gifted athlete, excelling in football, basketball, baseball, and golf. As a young man, he hitchhiked to Baraboo, WI to try‐out for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. When offered a minor league contract, he chose to return home to finish high school.
Upon high school graduation, he enrolled at Eau Claire State Teacher’s College. After a semester, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy, serving 30 months during World War II in the South Pacific. Honorably discharged from the Navy, Arnie returned to college to pursue his education. He graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. While in college, he met his life partner, Ginny, on Columbus Day, 1946, and they married on August 25, 1949.
His professional career spanned 40 years, teaching and coaching in Clay Township, Ohio, Fife Lake and Kalkaska, Michigan. From there he became K‐12 principal of Cement City Agricultural Schools in Jackson County, Michigan. After three years he became high school principal in Brooklyn, MI. Arnie was appointed Superintendent two years later. He earned a Masters Degree and Educational Specialist Degree from Michigan State University. Under his leadership, three school communities were consolidated to form the Columbia School District in 1967. The construction of Columbia Central High School was completed in 1970.
Arnie was very active in the community. He was a member of Ganson Street Baptist Church (Jackson, MI); the Michigan Association of School Administrators; Brooklyn Kiwanis; Jackson County Superintendent’s Association; and the Heart of the Lakes Golf League, to name a few. Over the years, hundreds of staff members and dozens of school board members worked alongside Arnie to provide quality educational opportunities for thousands of students. He was a compassionate, astute, and tireless leader dedicated to helping others, for he believed that education was a noble calling.
He found great joy in mentoring educators, in particular nephew John Graves, so that students could experience the value of education. It was never about recognition for him but always about serving children the best way possible. As a testament to Arnie and Ginny’s legacy, all three of their children pursued careers in education. Above all else, Arnie was a man of deep faith. From early childhood until his last breathe, he lived his faith consistently.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Columbia Central High School Auditorium in Brooklyn, MI at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2015 with the Reverend Timothy Haugen officiating, assisted by Reverend Allen Grover of Ganson Street Baptist Church. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10:00. a.m. The family, also, will receive friends at the Columbia Central High School Cafeteria on Friday, October 16, 2015 from 4‐7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Haugen Family Scholarship Fund through the Educational Foundation For the Columbia Schools or the Ganson Street Baptist Church Memorial Fund (Jackson, MI).
His family is convinced that he will never have to say "shhhoot!“ again, and his crystal blue eyes will shine. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes& Crematory 26th Street Chapel in charge of arrangements. www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
