Obituary of Raymond Keith Haugen

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Raymond Keith Haugen, a lifelong resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, on Monday, August 21, 2023, at the age of 64 years. He passed peacefully with family by his side and the support of compassionate health care providers at the Prince George Regional Hospital.

Ray was the eldest child born to Keith and Teresa Haugen. He grew up west of Dawson Creek on the Haugen Homestead. Surrounded by three sisters and 5 neighbouring female cousins, Ray was elated when baby brother Garth arrived. Ray was the “Boss” of his siblings and cousins. He organized many baseball games (scrub) with all “the girls”. This resulted in some darn good ball players coming out of “Haugen’s Hollow”. Ray was very athletic and won many ribbons at the Canalta track meets. He was a fantastic basketball player. His coach drove Ray, along with another star player living near us, home after games. Ensuring he has his best players at the court.

Ray shot a black bear when he was eleven. The bear had been a nuisance, coming around in the afternoon in search of pancakes mom used to toss out for Wringo (the dog). Dad was working at the mill and the bear seemed to know that he wasn’t around. Dad and Ray devised a plan. Mom would take us over to Auntie Kay’s and Ray would wait on the roof of our house with dad’s 3030. We didn’t have to wait long to hear the shots followed by whoops of “I got it! I got it!” We were all very impressed and proud of Ray, especially dad who bragged about his eleven-year-old son killing his first bear on his own. Ray enjoyed both hunting and fishing. I’m sure he wished he could have done more of it later in life.

At the age of thirteen, Ray began working weekends at the mill with dad. He was a hard worker. At home he also worked hard fencing, caring for the cows and horses, and fixing anything that needed tweaking. Ray eventually became an equipment operator and was invaluable to many employers. He not only operated equipment but could fix just about anything that wasn’t running properly.

Ray was the type of guy that people flocked to and had many friends. He brought numerous friends home that he felt needed help. Mom and dad were always welcoming to “Ray’s strays”. Growing up with many music sessions at Nana’s and our childhood home, Ray loved music. If you could sing and/or play an instrument Ray most likely brought you home.

After dad passed, it was comforting for the rest of the family that Ray stayed with mom when his work was close to Dawson Creek. Although she grumbled about having to cook and make lunches for him again, she did it with a grin.

Ray married Tammy Sidoruk on November 7, 1992, in Dawson Creek. Their lives were very busy with kids and grandchildren. Ray loved kids and was always a favourite uncle or Papa to many.

Ray is survived by his wife Tammy Haugen (Sidoruk); children Cody (Stephanie), Briana, and Bradley; grandchildren Chloe, Coral, Brooklyn, Avah, Kayson; sisters Veronia Bain (Dallas), Dana Welsh (Brad), Lenna Berg (Charlie); brother Garth Haugen (Meghan); brother-in-law Craig Sidoruk; sister-in-law Wendy Cassidy; honorary brothers John Evans and Bill Laboucan; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Ray was predeceased by his father Keith Haugen; mother Teresa Haugen; brother Gaylen Dean; mother-in-law Marlene Sidoruk; and father-in-law Ed Sidoruk.

A Celebration of Life for Raymond will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 1:00pm at the Cutbank Community Hall.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Ray to the BC Lung Association, 2675 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 2K2.

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium