Kaaren Haugen

After courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Kaaren Margaret Haugen of Shoreline, WA passed away the morning of February 9th, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and friends.  She was 65 years old.

Kaaren was born to Darrell and Margaret (Wolf) Haugen in Portland Oregon, on July 28, 1960. Kaaren attended Syre Elementary, Einstein Middle School and was in the first class to graduate from Shorewood High School in 1978.  Kaaren loved learning and excelled in her studies in school where she received many scholastic awards and met many lifelong friends.  After graduating from High School, she continued her studies at Pacific Lutheran University, graduating in 1983 with a B.S. in Biology.

Her working experience took her to Washington, D.C. where she cared for women in a homeless shelter, Alaska working as a tour guide, and various positions at Pacific Northwest Bell, US West, Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CDI) and Microsoft.  Later, she was the primary caregiver for both her father and mother in their golden years until they each passed away.

Kaaren will be remembered for her giving nature, compassion for others, her faith in the Lord, humility, and genuine love for animals.  She put the needs of others above her own.  She was also known for her quick wit, brilliant mathematical mind, and strong organizational skills.  She was a great conversationalist and a good listener.  People were drawn to her kind personality because she had the ability to make people feel accepted and understood.  As a result, she developed deep lifelong friendships. She is dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

While going through her cancer journey this quote from CS Lewis gave her comfort knowing that God is always working for the good of those who love him despite the trials we go through.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. hat on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”

Kaaren, your palace must be spectacular! 😊

Kaaren is preceded in death by her loving father and mother (Darrell and Margaret Haugen).  She is survived by her brother Paul Haugen (Amy Jo); sister Joan Green (Josh), nieces Elsie Jo Haugen, and Gracie Ann Haugen, and many cousins.

Kaaren was laid to rest in the Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Edmonds Washington.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach in Shoreline, WA on Saturday April 25 at 1 p.m. with Rev. John Bjorge officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach or the American Cancer Society.