Kenneth "Punky" Emil Haugen

Kenneth Emil Haugen aka “Punky”, passed away at his home in Polson, Montana on his 84th birthday, August 23, 2021.  

Punky was born in Browning, Montana to Lois Montana Haugen and Frances Kenneth Haugen on August 23rd, 1937.  He was raised in Whitefish until he was ten years old, from there he traveled between Babb, Browning, Cut Bank, and Whitefish where he graduated High School at age 17.

Punky met Maxine Renz in 1958 while participating in the Native American Relocation Program in Maywood, California and they snuck off to Mexico to get married. They had one son: Rory, born in 1960 on Punky’s 23rd birthday. Punky later adopted Maxine’s older children; Don LaRocque and Michelle Lingle. The couple divorced in 1965.

In 1967, he married Patsy Lafley Smith Haugen and became the stepfather of her 5 children: Steven, Janice, Stuart, Darryl, and Guy. Patsy and Punk were happily married for 52 years when Patsy passed away in 2019 and Punk has missed her every day since.

Punky held a variety of jobs from his early paper route to bridge building, carpentry, work in lumber yards, hardware stores and the railroad until he began his career at the Missoula Post Office in 1961 till his retirement in 1992 at age 55!              

Punky was a very kind, gentle, and loving person, he was always working (since the age of ten) taking in others, helping others, and saving money to buy something for someone else. He was a true friend to all! He enjoyed partying with family and friends for any occasion and played on pool leagues and dart leagues all around Missoula.

Punky was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Patsy; his former wife Maxine, and his daughter Michelle.  He is survived by his son, Rory (Nancy) of Polson; son, Don (Madonna) of Wolf Point, and his stepchildren; Steven of Lakewood, WA, Janice (Steve) of Rapid City SD, Stuart (Cheryl) of Steilacoom, WA, Darryl and Guy of Missoula, Mt. He is also survived by 28 grandchildren and too many greats to count.

Punky is also survived by his sisters, Karen Arcand of Browning, Kay Shawl of Ft Belknap, and brothers Ron Davis (Donna) and Mike Billedeaux (Liz) both of Cut Bank, Mt.

There will be a wake in Browning at Glacier Home Community Center from Thursday Aug 26-Sunday August 29,2021, and a one day viewing in St. Ignatius at Fosters Funeral Home on Monday August 30. Following the viewing Punky’s wishes were to be cremated and interred with his Grandpa “Ging Ging” in Whitefish, MT. 

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