Edward Lee “Sandy” Haug, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed from this life peacefully on October 22, 2023 in Rapid City, SD surrounded by family who loved him deeply.
Ed and his best friend and wife, Doris Evon (Ross) Haug lived happily outside of Hot Springs, South Dakota in a beautiful and serene area since 2000.
Ed was born on July 8, 1937 in Long Beach, California to Helen “Billie” and Samuel “Sam” Haug. He had an older sister, Barbara, who died after birth in 1936. He was happy to welcome a baby sister, Valerie Ann, who was born in 1950.
Ed spent much of his childhood with his grandparents, Lee and Noel Meekins, on their farm outside of Fort Morgan, Colorado. He was happiest riding horses, hunting, and working in the fields with his beloved Grandpa and his uncle, Mel Meekins.
Ed attended Central Elementary and Fort Morgan Junior-Senior High Schools. He was active in all sports, especially football, where he earned Varsity letters for four years. He graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1956.
On August 31, 1957, Ed was married to his childhood sweetheart, Doris Evon Ross, in the First Christian Church in Fort Morgan. They were best friends and were faithful to each other for 53 years of happy marriage.
Ed and Doris were happy to be blessed with two very special sons: Kurt Allyn Haug, born in Boulder, Colorado in 1959 and Vance Eric Haug, born in Long Beach, California in 1965. Both of these sons brought them much joy as they were growing up and have continued to do so as wonderful strong men with families of their own. Kurt and his wife, Judy, have nine children: Jordan (Ashley), Kourtney (Adam), Bethany (Shoshana), Emily (Louie), Nathan (Christine), Bretton (Madeline), Dustyn (Becca), Kason, and Christian. Vance and his wife, Dana, have three children: Heather (Rachel), Kaitlyn, and Zac. Each grandchild has been unique and special and has been dearly loved. Ed was beloved by all of them and leaves each of them with memories to treasure of Grandpa. He was also fortunate enough to have the blessing of eight great-grandchildren: Kimball, Addisyn, Silas, Thiago, Rylie, Emilio, Avery, and Olive.
Ed attended Colorado School of Mines in 1956 and then transferred to the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado in 1957, where he was a fullback for the Colorado Buffaloes. In 1959 Ed suffered severe injuries to his left leg that ended both his college and football careers for several years of recovery from his injuries. When he returned to college it was at Long Beach State College, now the University of California at Long Beach. He graduated from there in 1963 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts with a Math Minor. Later, Ed attended the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado where he received a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration in 1977.
Ed was an educator from 1963-2007. He taught math, woodworking, and drafting in secondary schools and loved coaching football, basketball, wrestling, and track for 14 years. He then served as a successful secondary school assistant principal, or athletic director for 27 years. After retirement, he was asked to teach for three years in the Education and the Applied Science/Technology Departments at Oglala Lakota College on the Pine Ridge Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. His long career took him to many states, including California, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Idaho and South Dakota. Through these years, he was a positive influence and wonderful example in the lives of many young people.
Ed loved his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife became members in 1963. Wherever they lived, Ed was very active and served in many capacities, in Sunday School and in the organizations for the young men. He was called to serve and lead his entire congregation as Bishop or Branch President many times. He devoted much of his life and time to his church and lived its standards and teachings wherever he was. He loved our Lord, Jesus Christ, and was a faithful disciple all his life.
Family members who preceded Ed in passing were his infant sister, Barbara Joyce; his parents, Billie and Sam Haug; his beloved grandparents, Lee and Noel Meekins; and his sweetheart, Doris Evon (Ross) Haug.
Ed leaves here on earth his sons, Kurt and Vance, and their families; his sister, Valerie Gallof and her family; and numerous other family members and dear friends.
Funeral services and a celebration of Ed’s life will be held in the chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Fort Morgan, Colorado at 1:00pm on Friday October 27, 2023. A short service will follow at graveside in Memory Gardens, Riverside Cemetery, Fort Morgan, Colorado. Chamberlain Chapel will be in charge of arrangements.
A memorial has been established for the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Hot Springs, SD Public Schools. Donations can be sent to Chamberlain Chapel P.O box 970 Chadron, NE 69337.
Ed’s family would like to thank all who have loved and cared for our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Ed’s happy life was filled with his love for Doris, Kurt, and Vance and their families, and his church.
“Jesus said…, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Yea, Lord; I believe that thou art the Christ, the son of God, which should come into the world.”
-John 11:25-