Kelly J. Hauge

Kelly J. Hauge, 69, of Viroqua, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, surrounded by his family. Kelly was born October 5, 1954, to Chester and Kathryn (Weber) Hauge.

As a child, Kelly attended Dach Ridge School for kindergarten and finished his school years in Viroqua Schools, graduating in 1972. Kelly had a real love for farming and spent many of those early years on his grandparents' farm after losing his father when Kelly was only 10.

On August 16, 1975, he married Marilyn (Pederson) Hauge. Together they had two sons, Kyle and Kutter. Kelly started his working life milking cows and doing farm work on his grandparents' farm and later went to work for 13 years with Harbach and Nixon, a large farming operation, with over 1000 acres of corn, 15 acres of tobacco, and several large herds of Angus beef cattle.

In 1989, he purchased Gerald Thurin Excavating and operated the business for over 30 years. Kelly was a hard worker, and always paid very close attention to detail. Some would say he was way too fussy, but it meant a lot to him to do a job well and he built his business on making sure he did the best job possible for his customers. Many of his customers became lifelong friends. Kelly also developed lifelong friendships with other contractors such as Mark and Tom Brye and Al Nelson Well Service. Today, it is heartwarming to see Kutter and Cory Brye Plumbing, and Kutter and Erik Nelson working together as the next generation.

As such a hard-working man he also made time for little get-aways with his family. It was a tradition to head to Northern Wisconsin and Michigan for a week of snowmobiling with great friends. The boys absolutely loved it! Then, as the boys got older and busier, he and Marilyn would head to Florida for a week of sunshine, thanks to the hospitality and fun times with Richard and Judy Volden. He and Marilyn also made time to take the grandsons on a couple of vacations out west and to northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Kelly never missed a wrestling match or football game as his sons were growing up.

Kelly is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son, Kutter; grandchildren, Kaden, Kullen, and Kyler Hauge, and Micah and Ari Nelson; sister, Debra (Brian) Wisinski; sister-in-law, Joyce Hauge; and several nieces and nephews. He is further survived by his brothers-in-law, Tom (Lisa) Pederson, Fred (Michelle) Pederson, and Brian (Rachel) Pederson; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Chet and Kathryn Hauge; father and mother-in-law, Orrin and Arlene Pederson; brother, Kurt Hauge; sister-in-law, Sharon Pederson; beloved son Kyle Eric Hauge; and special family friend Lisa (Adam) Olson.

A gathering will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.vossfh.com. Memorial trees may be purchased from a local nursery by clicking here .

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Kelly's family.

123 W. Decker St.

Viroqua, WI 54665

608-637-2100