Donnell Haugen
| Date of Interment or Death | 05/26/1981 |
|---|---|
| Location | Garden of Prayer |
| Block and Lot | 100D |
| Grave | 1 |
Obituary
Two Wahpeton seniors die in car crash
By NEWELL GRANT - Daily News Publisher
The deaths Tuesday of two Wahpeton Senior High School honor students has shocked the community and shrouded tonight's (Wednesday's) graduation exercise with sorrow and personal reflection for school officials, students, parents and friends.
Donnell Jay Haugen and Scott Allan Johnson, seniors, close friends, both 17 years of age, were killed instantly shortly after 4 p.m. May 26 as the result of a two-car accident on County Highway 72, near the southwest corner of Otter Tail Lake, east of Fergus Falls, Minn.
Haugen was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Haugen, 1305 Westmore Ave., and Johnson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Johnson, 1312 14th Ave. North.
Both youths were scheduled to participate in their school's graduation ceremonies this evening.
Wahpeton Senior High School Principal Daniel Tehle said, "Don and Scott will be posthumously honored tonight. We will have their pictures displayed on stage, their names will be called along with the roll of the senior class and their diplomas will be presented later to their parents and families."
According to the Otter Tail County Sheriff's department, the mishap occurred when a car driven by Johnson skidded out of control and collided with a second car driven by Brandon McCabe, 18, Moorhead, Minn. McCabe and three passengers in his car were treated at Lake Region Hospital, Fergus Falls, and released.
Johnson and Haugen, the only passenger in the Johnson vehicle, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Haugen, a Life Scout, was just completing requirements for his Eagle Scout rating. A Boy Scout for 11 years, he was a Senior Patrol Leader. Haugen was a Wahpeton Rotary Club Student of the Month winner, the recipient of the I Dare You Award, winner of the Gold Cup Award for piano and was named the Most Improved Runner in cross country. He was a member of 4-H for four years and a member of the Wahpeton swim team.
His other extracurricular activities included band, choir, pep band, stage band, football, basketball, track, the AFS Club and the Letterman's Club.
The last cross country season he established a new 3,200 meter school record and was named Most Valuable Player in both cross country and boys' track this season.
Johnson, a Boy Scout for five years, earned his Eagle Scout Award recently, and won his school's Emil Vallager award and was a member of the Future Farmers of America.
He was also a Wahpeton Rotary Student of the Month winner and a member of the Wahpeton swim team. Other activities included football, wrestling, track, choir, pep band, stage band, concert band and AFS.
Both youths engaged (often together) in fishing, camping, hunting, backpacking and canoeing activities. They were well-known for their outdoorsmanship.
Many school officials Wednesday expressed that the two youths were outstanding students and young men who were admired by both their peers and other members of the community.
Because of their deep friendship for each other, their parents planned a joint funeral service to be conducted at Bethel Lutheran Church, Wahpeton, at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 29.
The Rev. Marvin L. Hartmann and Rev. David Eggebraten will officiate and interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton.
Visitation will be Thursday afternoon at the east and west chapels of Vertin's of Wahpeton, and at the church one hour before the service on Friday.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
The Garden of Prayer is located in the Memorial Gardens, which comprises the northern half of the cemetery.