Margaret Haugen, age 72, of Ellsworth, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System – St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester, Minnesota due to complications of pancreatitis. Margaret was born on July 9, 1951, to Louis and Vera (Hinz) Schmidt in Red Wing, MN. She attended Ellsworth High School, graduating with the class of 1969.

Margaret was a dedicated and proud welder for Meyer’s in Hager City, serving the utility structures industry for more than 30 years. She was a loyal member of her union and took immense pride in her work and treasured the many friendships she had with her co-workers. On November 7, 1970, Margaret married the love of her life, Ronnie Haugen, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, where they repeated their vows to each other on their 35th anniversary.

Margaret had a passion for gardening, and she transformed her yard into a true outdoor showplace. She loved entertaining and her greatest joy was making enough food to feed at least twice as many as were invited. Margaret was known for her selflessness, kindness, and unwavering love and support for her family and friends. Though she didn’t have children of her own, she embraced her nieces, nephews, and their children as if they were her own, never missing a birthday or celebration. Margaret was a fiercely independent woman, small in stature but with a heart full of love given freely and openly to everyone she met.

Margaret is survived by her siblings Jerry Schmidt (and friend Phyllis), Jim (Kathy) Schmidt, and Arlene (Jim) Belmore, along with her beloved nieces, nephews, and numerous in-laws. She was preceded in death by her husband Ronnie Haugen; her parents, Louis and Vera Schmidt; her sisters Donna Mae Schmidt and Mary Kubera; her brother-in-law, Wendell Kubera, and her sister-in-law, Jane Schmidt.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Margaret’s life will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, June 14, 2024, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, W5706 WI-72, Ellsworth, WI 54011. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM. A private family interment will take place at Pine Glen Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are left to the discretion of the family.

Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth. For more information, please visit https://oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-273-4421.