Leland Mark Haugen

Leland M. Haugen, age 77 of Comfrey, Minnesota, died on February 11, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 18, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Comfrey Chapel. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota at a later date. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Comfrey. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Leland Mark Haugen, the son of Leonard and Mavis (Johnson) Haugen, was born on August 8, 1946, in Windom, Minnesota. He attended school in Jeffers, Minnesota and graduated from Comfrey High School in 1964. Following graduation, Leland joined his dad in farming. In 1966, Leland joined the United States Army, beginning with Basic Training in Fort Leonard Wood. He then took Medical Corpsman in Fort Sam Houston, followed by Airborne training in Fort Benning. He then was deployed to Vietnam from August 1966 to August 1967. He was a Medic of the 82nd Airborne and also a Paratrooper. Leland was known as “Doc” in his platoon. He was wounded in Action on April 9, 1967. He was awarded a Purple Heart and two Bronze Star Medals, one with Valor. Leland came home and married his high school sweetheart, Ilene Goltz on August 12, 1967, at West Sveadahl Lutheran Church near Saint James, Minnesota. He returned to serving his country until his honorable discharge in December 1967. Leland then returned to Comfrey where he and Ilene raised their four children on the farm.

Hard working, selfless and a strong mentor, Leland was a great provider for his family. In addition to farming, Leland was a businessman, owning and operating Haugen Feeds and Leland Haugen Guns. He was a member of the Sleepy Eye Purple Heart Club and the Comfrey Legion. Leland was the best husband, a wonderful father, and a loving grandfather to his grandchildren who were his pride and joy. His sense of humor and willingness to lend a hand to anyone in need will be greatly missed.

Leland is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ilene Haugen of Comfrey; children, Darren (Diane) Haugen of Comfrey, Raquel (Todd) Whitehill of Ankeny, IA, Brandon Haugen of Windom, and Jaime Haugen of Windom; and grandchildren, Dylan Haugen and Deni Haugen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gerald O. Haugen; and nephew, Scott Way.