James A Haugen

James A. Haugen, 83, retired from McKay-Haugen Insurance Company, died Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at Life Care of Columbia. Born in Rake, Iowa, he was the son of the late Joseph Theodore Haugen and Betsey Erickson Haugen. He was a graduate of Rake High School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Iowa. He was inducted into the U. S. Army-Air Corps on October 7, 1943 at Camp Dodge and was stationed at Sheppard Field, Texas. In October, 1944, he was attached to the 773rd Bomb Squadron, 463rd Bomb Group, 15th Air Force in Italy as a tail-gunner. He was discharged November 1, 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mr. Haugen married the former Mary Hill McKay December 26, 1953. They chose to make Columbia their home and he joined his father-in-law, Robert M. McKay, Sr. in the insurance business in 1959. He remained with the company until his retirement in 1986. During his professional insurance career he attained the ranking of CPCU, was named Tennessee Insuror of the Year and was a past Regional Director of the Insurors of Tennessee. He was a long-time member of the Columbia Rotary Club and Herbert Griffin American Legion Post #19. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Mary Hill McKay Haugen of Columbia; a daughter, Anne Haugen (Dan) Batey of Williamsport; grandchildren, Laura Hill Batey and William Ridings Batey. He was preceded in death by a son, Theodore Martin "Ted" Haugen in 2004; four sisters, Geneva Fransdal, Agnes Neith, Myrtle Schneider, and Lillian Morris; and a brother, Elvin Haugen. Family graveside services at Polk Memorial Gardens will be private. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.