Dorothy Haugee

Dorothy Rasmussen Haugee Dorothy Rasmussen Haugee was born in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota on December 6, 1919, the daughter of Walter and Minnie (Martinson) Rasmussen. She grew up in the Pelican Rapids area and graduated from high school there at the age of 16. In 1938 she received a teaching degree from Moorhead State University and at the age of 18 began teaching in a one-room school house with 35 students spanning the first through the eighth grades. On April 25, 1943, Dorothy was united in marriage to Morris Haugee in Fergus Falls. While Morris was in the service, Dorothy continued teaching until their career paths took them to the Twin Cities area. At this time Dorothy began teaching in the Minneapolis School System and went on to receive her Bachelor?s Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1968 and later earned her Master?s Degree in Gifted Education. She continued her education at the University of Connecticut in Mankato, MN and San Diego State University in CA. During this time, Dorothy noticed a group of students who had an overflow of ability, thus leading to her life?s passion of working with gifted students. She applied for educational grants and eventually established the ?Yellow Brick Road? program in Kenwood and Armatage Elementary Schools. One of the first of its kind in the state, the program?s purpose was to guide and challenge gifted students. The program received an Eddy Award from the Minnesota State Legislature. Dorothy and her husband Morrie retired to the Alexandria area in 1982 and she continued to work with gifted students. Her community education class, ?Understanding Our Gifted?, led to other speaking opportunities and she became active on educational committees, raising awareness of gifted issues in rural Minnesota. Dorothy?s ability to form deep connections with gifted students and their families led her to establish the ?Oz? program for the gifted and talented at the junior high level in Alexandria. As its founder and tireless volunteer, she met weekly with students to discuss issues and current topics. Dorothy also found community mentors for numerous ?Oz? students, creating relationships that have lasted for years. In addition, she worked with small groups of gifted students at the elementary level at Lincoln School. Dorothy and her husband have continued to live beautiful lives on Lake Latoka in Alexandria until her death at home with family on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at the age of 92 years. She is survived by her husband Morrie Haugee of Alexandria; sister Georgia Gerth; children Mary Haven and husband Grant Grover of Berthoud, CO; Elizabeth and husband Stewart Peeler of Tucson, AZ; and Jon and wife Lee Haugee of St. Louis Park, MN. Also surviving are grandchildren Nick Haven of Santa Cruz, CA; Eric and wife Florence Haugee of Highland, IN; and Molly and husband Sean Conley of Highland, IN. Memorial services were held on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at the Anderson Funeral Chapel in Alexandria, Minnesota, with Mary Stone officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Maplewood Lutheran Cemetery, Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. www.andersonfuneral.net