Sybel E. Haugen, 93, died peacefully March 4, 2017 at Prairie Meadows Assisted Living in Kasson.

She was born March 20, 1923 in rural Dodge County. She attended a 1-room school until 8th grade, when she entered Kasson Jr-Sr High School. Following high school graduation, she attended Winona State Teachers College acquiring a Teaching Certificate and returned to rural Minnesota. She initially taught in a one room country school. She subsequently taught elementary school in Sleepy Eye and later Byron, where she met and married Charles Haugen. She spent the remainder of her career, with brief interruptions for the birth of her sons, teaching at Kasson Elementary.

Sybel obtained a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Winona State University and Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota. She had a special interest in children with learning disabilities and was one of the first teachers in the region to obtain additional training in that field. She served on the Early Childhood Development Committee of K-M schools. In 1980, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year at Kasson-Mantorville, was chosen as a Minnesota Teacher of Excellence and was a semi-finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

She was also very involved in her community. Sybel was a Charter member and Chairperson of Friends of the Kasson Public Library and was active in the Save the Tower Committee. She served as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts and as Chair of Dodge County Cancer Board from 1993-1995. In 2005, she was honored as Grand Marshall of the Kasson Festival in the Park parade.

She was an active member of St John’s Lutheran Church and a member of the Rachel Circle. She served on the Social Action Commission, Church History Committee, Board of Education and as a Sunday School Teacher.

Following her retirement, she attended numerous Elder Hostels. She also traveled extensively both domestically and internationally including: Scandinavia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, Asia, Australia and Antarctica. Additionally, she found more time to pursue her favorite avocation, writing, especially poetry. She was particularly proud to have several of her works published.

Sybel was preceded in death by her parents George and Anna Skogen, brother Gerald Skogen and sisters Alice Hanson, Evelyn Harris, Norma Hogle and Ethel Sanderson. She is survived by sons John (Alicia Reeves) and Michael (Rebecca) as well as granddaughter Andrea Walsh(Steven).

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 10, 2017 at St John’s Lutheran Church, 301 8th Ave NW, Kasson, Minnesota with Pastor John Allen officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be at the Byron Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to Friends of Kasson Public Library,Inc., St John’s Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.

Photo and obituary was published by Dibble Funeral Home
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