David William Haugan (Brookings, SD), was healed from his struggles with lung cancer on January 22, 2022 at the age of 63. David led his family through his cancer journey with faith, grace, love, acceptance, and humor. We believe he was guided by Jesus and his son, Mitchell as he entered Heaven. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 5-7 P.M. at Eidsness Funeral Home. Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. on Friday, also at Eidsness Funeral Home. The service will be recorded and uploaded to David’s obituary on www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com.

David was born to Dr. Harry and Sally Haugan on January 8, 1959, and raised in Montevideo, MN. He was an adventurous young man that loved the freedom of growing up in a small town. At 18, he left to find his own path, living in Phoenix, AZ & Salt Lake City, UT. He returned to MN, where he went on a blind date with Kathy Jo (Dragsten) in 1982. Since then, the two have been by each other’s side for 39 years, married for over 36 of those years.

After David graduated with a Machine Tool & Die degree from Dunwoody Institute (MPLS) in October 1984, he and Kathy were married in Montevideo on April 20, 1985. The two of them set out on their own venture to find a new area to live, traveling west, ultimately settling in Reno, NV, where they purchased their first home. They moved in 1998 to Monticello, MN where they lived for 17 years. When his children were young, he received his four-year degree from St. Cloud State University. He and his wife have been co-owners of Out Source Projects, Inc. since 2000. David loved entrepreneurship and taught his children business skills by having them learn how to worm hunt. They went on to own Big Bills Bait at a young age. In 2015, he moved his family to South Dakota to accept a position with South Dakota State University as an OSHA Consult. This position allowed him to teach and assist businesses with safety solutions. In SD, David found the perfect balance between the great outdoors and working in a rewarding position with SDSU.

“It is a wise father that knows his own children”~ Shakespeare. David had a deep, loving relationship with his children and his wife. David and Kathy had three beautiful children and all were the light of his life: Mitchell David (August 1995 – November 1995), Johanna Kay (September 1997) and Peder David (August 1999). David loved sharing nature, outdoors, fishing, hunting, camping, and boating with his family. Until his early 40’s he snow and water skied until he broke his ankle and vowed never to strap a pair of boards to his feet ever again – a promise he kept. Instead, he became a boat’s captain and enjoyed watching his children and wife strap those boards on their feet! There was much love and laughter in David’s home. His kitchen dancing, cooking, baking, grilling, and gardening was second to none. To appreciate him was to understand his humor and quick wit. David always stayed true to himself whether you agreed with him or not. He had a talent for re-finishing furniture, which he was meticulous about. For the last seven years, David was a big Jackrabbit football fan. David was a traveler throughout his life, whether to Europe or any place warm, and fished Canada, Mexico and all over the United States. He had a passion for music, conservative politics, geography, and history, especially WWII. David loved his loyal companions; his beloved Billy Ray Valentine (2014) is happy to see him again, and his sweet Ole Ray misses him dearly.

He was a member of: Brookings Gun Club and served on the board; SDSU Association of Retired Faculty; MMA (Midwest Manufactures Association) and CMMA (Central MN Manufacturer Association). Along with his family, he enjoyed being in the Brookings SDSU Hobo Day parade representing shooting sports.

David was preceded in death by his son, Mitchell David (1995); father, Harry Haugan, DDS (1996); nephew, Matthew Hoerr (1994); brother-in-law, Rodney Dragsten (2014); father-in-law, Elroy Dragsten (2018); and grandparents, Willard & Hannah Haugan, Maurice Runo & Edythe Olson.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Jo; children, Johanna and Peder; mother, Sally Haugan; sister(s) Kathleen (William) Prindle and Nanette (Thomas) Hoerr; mother-in-law Ardis Dragsten; sister-in-law(s) Heidi (Thomas) Barcia and Ann Dragsten; 12 nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; many friends.