Arne Haugen

Arne Haugen, age 69, of Westby, passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2020. Arne was born in Oslo, Norway to Erling and Reidun (Haugom) Haugen. He grew up in Skjetten -- a small town located approximately 12 miles from Oslo. As a child, he developed a passion for ski jumping. He started jumping when he was five years old. At the age of 17, he earned himself a place on the Norwegian Ski Team. His high degree of talent landed him a scholarship from the University of Colorado Boulder. At the age of 19, he traveled to the U.S.A. to ski for the university. Throughout his ski jumping career, he won several national championships and was even set to ski in the 1976 Winter Olympics hosted in Austria. An ankle injury took him out of the competition. It was while ski jumping in college, Arne came to Westby to jump at the Snowflake Ski Club Tournament. That is where he met the local Snowflake Ski Queen (1973), Terrie Tainter. Arne graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s in business administration in 1975. On August 30, 1975, he and Terrie were married at North Coon Prairie Lutheran Church in Newry. Arne went on to get his master’s degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Arne and Terrie were blessed with two children. Erik Tomas was born on September 18, 1976, and Anne Britt on September 8, 1979. The family of four first settled in McFarland, WI where Arne started a successful career in agricultural product sales. A ginseng partnership brought them back to Westby in 1991. Arne was loved by many. He enjoyed time with his wife, children, five grandchildren, hunting, and fishing. In 2006, tragedy struck the Haugen family when Erik lost his life in a car accident. In 2013, a stroke left Arne non-verbal and paralyzed. Terrie cared for him at home for as long as she could. In 2016, Arne was moved to Vernon Manor in Viroqua, WI until his passing. Arne is survived by his wife, Terrie; his daughter, Anne; grandsons: Lucas, Gabriel “Gabe”, Cole (Walz), and Chance (Loomis); a granddaughter, Siri Anne Haugen; one sister, Karin (Frode) Alhaug; one brother, Bjørn Haugen; father-in-law, Keith Tainter; brothers-in-law, Jeff and Mark (Kim) Tainter; sisters-in-law, Julie Johnson and Mary Holte; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Erik; his parents; his mother-in-law, Marian (Slette) Tainter; sister-in-law, Lorie (Tainter) Brown; and a niece, Alycia Brown. We find solitude knowing that Arne is finally at peace with our Heavenly Father, as well as reunited with his son, parents, and all who have gone before him. On Earth, he flew on skis. In Heaven, he flies with wings. A memorial service will be held June 11, 2021 for Arne and his wife, Terrie, at 5:00 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby. A visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service. Arne and Terrie will be laid to rest at Coon Prairie Cemetery following the service. Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby is serving Arne's family. 708 S. Main Street Westby, WI 54667 (608) 634-2100