Wanda J. Haugen, 82, of Hawley, MN, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at St. Catherine's South in Fargo, ND.

Born on June 10, 1944, to Thormod and Jeannette (Peterson) Jacobson, Wanda grew up in Lake Park, Minnesota, and graduated from Lake Park High School. On June 25, 1966, she married James Haugen in Lake Park. Together, they built a wonderful life, first making their home in Lake Park before eventually settling in Hawley.

Wanda loved her simple life. She was a fabulous cook—so much so that she most certainly invented Lefse tacos—and she took considerable pride in it. Today, her daughters proudly continue the tradition of making her famous Lefse tacos, and they remain an absolute family favorite. She also cherished traveling, trying her luck at the casino, and especially flying. She and James took many memorable trips to Pikes Peak, CO, Elko, NV, and Las Vegas, NV, with her absolute favorite adventures being their road trips along Route 66.

Music was a joy for her, particularly Christmas songs. Her ultimate favorite was “Sleigh Ride,” which she would famously request on repeat during family holiday celebrations. Closer to home, Wanda loved tending to her garden. For years, she took immense pride in canning her own tomatoes and cucumbers, happily sharing jars of her homemade pickles and tomatoes with friends and family. As a true sports fan, she could always be found cheering on her favorite Minnesota teams: the Vikings, Twins, and Timberwolves. On a funny note, her frustration with the Vikings' poor performances could not be contained, and she was known to throw things at the television. She also worked hard for many years at Carl’s Lefse until her retirement.

Wanda is survived by her loving husband, James; her daughters, Jaime (Allen), and Kelly; and her beloved grandchildren, Christopher (Jamie), Taylor (Kelly), and Zoe (Kelly). She is also survived by her nephew, Michael (Warren).

She was preceded in death by her parents; her many aunts and uncles; and her brother, Warren Jacobson.

The family of Wanda wants to say an incredibly special thank you to Saint Catherine’s South for their loving care of Wanda over the past two years. The staff became part of Wanda’s family, and it brought great peace knowing Wanda was cared for with so much love right up to her passing.

Celebration of Life

A celebration of Wanda's life will be held on Friday, September 11, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Wright Funeral Home in Hawley, MN.