LouAnn Marian Downing was born on April 30, 1940 in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota.  Her parents were the late Louie and Gladys Marian Hansen.  LouAnn graduated from the Parkers Prairie High School with the class of 1959.  She moved to Minneapolis where she was employed as a teller at Northwestern Bank. 

On August 27, 1960, LouAnn was united in marriage with Christian Haugen at Elmo Lutheran Church, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with 3 children: Curtis, Charlie and Cindy. Together LouAnn and Christian made their home and raised their children on the family farm in Leaf Lake Township.

 LouAnn enjoyed selling produce and poultry from the farm and was employed at Lucy’s Café and the Henning School. She was an avid member of the Scandinavian Sons of Norway,   Henning Saddle Club, Birthday Club and a 4H leader.

On September 18, 2025, LouAnn passed away peacefully at Pioneer Care in Fergus Falls, Minnesota at 85 years of age.  She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.  LouAnn was predeceased by her parents, Louie and Gladys Downing; infant daughter; husband Christian Haugen; sister, Sharon Teal and brother-in-law, Marlin Jensen.

LouAnn is survived by her children: Curtis (Kim) Haugen of Henning; Charlie (Kristen) Haugen of Rothsay; and Cindy (Rodney) Leppanen of Swan River; six grandchildren: Jason Haugen, Jacob Haugen, Christopher Haugen, Nathan (Jenny) Leppanen, Justin (Sarah) Leppanen and Kristina (Hali) Kivari-Leppanen; step grandchildren: ReAnna Herk, Amy Walter, and Bill Wischnak; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings: Gloria (Wally) Otto of Alexandria; Eloise Jensen of Henning; Mavis (Tom) Thompson of Apple Valley; Verla (Mike) Johnson of Richfield and Dale (Vicky) Downing of Almora; two brothers-in-law: Courtland (Karen) Haugen of Grand Forks, North Dakota and Cedric (Kathy) Haugen of Green Bay, Wisconsin; many other relatives and a host of friends.