Eileen Elanora Haugen
July 11, 1919 - November 29, 2013
Obituary
MADISON-Eileen Aili E. (Niemi) Haugen, age 94, of Madison, passed away on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, after a short illness. She was born on July 11, 1919, in Mason, WI the daughter of Ole and Anna Niemi. At age 17 she left northern Wisconsin for Chicago, Ill. In Chicago, she began cleaning homes and continued cleaning homes until she was ninety years old. Also in Chicago, Eileen met Kenneth Haugen and on Dec. 19, 1940, they were married. In addition to raising three sons, she was a foster mother to many children. Her Finnish heritage was important to Eileen, and she was a lifetime member of the Finnish American Society of Madison. Eileen was an avid gardener and enjoyed canning and baking, especially making jams and desserts for her grandchildren. Eileen was a very family-oriented woman, and always enjoyed time spent with family. She is survived by her children, Dennis (Sandy) Haugen, Don (Bonnie) Haugen, and David (Susan) Haugen; grandchildren, Sherry (Mike) Alsmo, Rhonda (Craig) Corning, Tammy Majocka, Kim (Rich) Peterson, Ken Haugen, Yvonne (Louis) Holtz, DeAnn Porter, Lisa (Brian) Sowls, Julie (Tony) Gerig, and Andrew (Erin) Haugen; 20 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Lily Brzezinski and Martha Wood. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; three brothers, Eino, Henry and John; and four sisters, Vienna, Mae, Helen and Delores. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, with Pastor Ron Dobie presiding. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens with a luncheon to follow at the American Legion, McFarland. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. Memorials may be made to the Mason Historical Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Hyvästi Pikku Aili. Kiitos kiitos.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Thu Dec 5, 2013 @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Thu Dec 5, 2013 @ 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Eileen have been shared yet.
Memories
SN
Suzanne Niemi
Other •
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Haugen family. Aunt Eileen was such a beautiful person! I will never forget the wonderful times we shared at Haugen Heights Resort with the extended Niemi family. Rest in peace....
BM
Beverly Majocka
Other •
You opened your home to us, made a wonderful breakfast and gave us some of your delicious strawberry jam. The sweetest lady I have ever met. You will be forever in our hearts....
RH
Reino Hill
Other •
Eileen and Ken took me in when I was at the university and treated me as one of the family.. I will always remember the beautiful person who Eileen was and her Finnish lessons as we sat and drank coffee. In the kitchen. Hyvästi, rakas ystävä.
CB
Carole Krzos Browning-Lewis
Other •
My condolences to the family. Aunt Eileen was a very special lady whom I cared for very much. A sweet and loving lady. I grieve with the family! Carole Krzos Browning-Lewis
AK
Aileen Krzos
Other •
John, Stefan, Jaime, Jackson and I would like to give our condolences to David, Donny and Dennis and all of their family on the passing of Aunt Eileen. She was a sweet gentle soul who always had a smile on her face and great family stories to share.
We enjoyed spending time with her when she was visiting with Grandma Mae. They were always laughing and telling us about their life growing up on the farm. Her kindness, love of family and smile will always be with us.
- Aileen Krzos
SS
Sharol Schroeder
Other •
My condolences to Eileen's loving family. My favorite memory of Eileen is reading the letters she sent to my Grandma Mae- telling her about the families she cleaned for and such funny stories (maybe they weren't always meant to be funny but grandma and I thought they were)! I also rememeber being in awe of the energy and resourcefullness Eillen had. She was a wonderful sister to Grandma Mae and for that I will always be grateful- Sharol Schroeder (Merrily's daughter)