CELEBRATION OF LIFE
1:00 p.m. Saturday September 21, 2024, Smeaton Recreation Centre, Smeaton, Sask.

CREMATION

Inurnment Smeaton Cemetery, Smeaton, Sask.

 

Kenneth (Ken) Leslie Haugland was born November 9th, 1943 in Smeaton Saskatchewan to his parents John and Mary Haugland. Ken was the 5th of their 8 children.

Ken grew up at Smeaton in a house built by his father. After he was done school for the day, much of his time was spent working on the family homestead and also helping the neighbouring farmers.

After graduating from high school, Ken found work in Smeaton with various farmers. He met Jeanne Bertha Prince in 1966 at a sports event and asked if she would like to go to a dance with him; the rest was history. Jeanne fell for Ken’s charm and contagious smile. They ended up moving to Prince George, British Columbia where his brother Ted and wife Carol lived. Ken did some roofing and odd jobs there. Ken and Jeanne built a house together in Prince George. Ken and Jeanne married in Prince George on Aug 31st, 1968. Ted and Carol stood up for them at the wedding.

Ken and Jeanne decided to move back to the Smeaton area. Ken took on various jobs in the logging industry North of Smeaton. His business grew from there; he was an entrepreneur at heart.

On March 10th, 1969 Lisa was born in Nipawin Saskatchewan. Les was born the following year on April 29, 1970 in Smeaton Saskatchewan. They were Ken’s pride and joy. Lisa and Les remember growing up in a bunkhouse in Baldy Lake Saskatchewan. The family followed the forestry industry and moved to Upper Fishing Lake and then to Mile 36. When Lisa was ready to start school, the family settled near the train tracks in Smeaton.

Ken logged for many years with his own company “Good Wood Pulp”. He felt a responsibility as an employer to keep his workers employed and would pick up work wherever he could in order to do so.

Curling was a hobby that Ken and Jeanne enjoyed with their friends. They curled many bonspiels with Laura and Roy Demmans taking home trophies along the way.

Whenever Ken wasn’t working he would make sure to follow the kids and watch them play sports. He was extremely devoted to his two children.

Despite all the long days and nights that Ken would put in working to provide for his family, he would make sure they had time for family vacations to the lake in the summer.

In 1980, Ken built his family their dream home in Smeaton. This is where they hosted many Prince and Haugland family gatherings and celebrations over the years.

Ken wasn’t scared to try something new. Over the years he owned gravel trucks, a saw mill, and a small grain farm.

As the children grew up in the early 80’s, he took on a new venture; custom harvesting. He traveled through Saskatchewan and northern states harvesting farmer’s crops.
In the late 1980’s, Ken had logging and oilfield trucks in Alberta.

In August of 1989, his first granddaughter, Kristen was born. He was overjoyed to add another member to the family.

Lisa and Les were off to college in Saskatoon in the fall of 1989. Jeanne and Ken cared for Kristen while Lisa was away at school. Sadly, Jeanne passed away in 1990. Ken was heartbroken over the loss of his wife. Ken was resilient though, and he found solace in his work and taking care of Kristen. They became very close, and he coined her with the nickname “Bubbin”. More days than not, he would take his little “Bubbin” with him to the coffee shop.

Ken was a rambling man. He travelled around northern Saskatchewan and Alberta logging with his son Les. Later in the 1990’s, Ken and Les got into a small “non-profit organization” that raised cattle and pigs. After that, Ken tried his hand at farming produce. He grew potatoes and carrots galore throughout the 90’s.

In May, 1995, Ken’s second granddaughter, Brooke was born. Ken was over the moon. He loved his little “Brookie”. He made many miles and many trips to visit Corey and Lisa and Brooke and Kristen, first travelling to La Ronge and later to Meadow Lake in order to see them.

Ken suffered a heart attack in 2003 which required surgery. This didn’t slow him down for long. Shortly after the surgery, he was off to help Les build a house. This trip sparked his curiosity, asking Les “if there was money to be made in the house building industry”.

From there he headed back west to Prince George to build a 2nd house there with his brother Ted. He finished off his working career in Smeaton building RTM homes with his company “Good Wood Homes”.

On December 7, 2005, Ken’s 3rd granddaughter, Adison arrived. Grandpa Ken was once again delighted to have another beautiful little girl joining the family. He traveled to Spruce Grove often to visit Les and Michele and his little “Adi”.

Ken suffered many health related problems in his later years. It never seemed to get him down though. He always kept a positive mindset. He spent much of his time visiting grandchildren and family.

He moved into enriched housing in 2016, and then into the lodge in 2018 in Meadow Lake. During these years he kept everyone on their toes with his many “adventures”. He always had his bag packed and was ready to go anywhere at the drop of a hat. Ken never lost his desire to drive. Even after he reluctantly gave up his keys, it was normal for him to be spotted in a car dealership trying to buy another truck.

We imagine Ken is driving off into the sunset in a new truck now.

Ken developed many close relationships with the staff at the lodge. He got to see Lisa there regularly because she works as a caregiver there. He enjoyed all the visits from his family over the years and loved the visits from his great granddaughters; Kendal, Emery, and Marley.

Ken will be remembered as a kind, brave, driven, and resilient man who was always optimistic and a joy to be around. His dream was to gift all his grandchildren a house. He did just that with a family cabin that is used by the family year round spending time together living out his legacy.

Ken is survived by his daughter Lisa (Corey) Demmans, son Les (Michele) Haugland: grandchildren: Kristen (Cullen) Morin, Brooke Demmans, Adison Haugland: Great grandchildren: Kendal Regan, Marley and Emery Morin. Sisters: Ellen Eby, Mary (Ed) Pruner, Patsy (Arnold) Young, Sylvia (Lenard) Welygan. Sister in laws Pauline (Justin) Lemaire, Annette Bartole, Claire (Steve) Belch, Florence (Bill) Prince Aline Mitchell. He was predeceased by his wife Jeanne Haugland: Parents John and Mary Haugland: His brothers Jimmy, Ted, and Tommy: Father and Mother in law: Joseph and Theresa: Prince Brother in laws: Lyle and Fred Prince Sister in Law: Helen Prince.

The family invites you to stay for refreshments and visiting following the service and they will join you following the interment.

Tributes in Memory of Ken may be made to The Northwest Community Lodge Association Inc., Box 1790, Meadow Lake, Sask. S9X 1Z2

Condolences To The Family Can Be Sent To www.jethomasfuneralhome.com

• Date : 2024-09-04
• Location : Meadow Lake, Sask.