David Martin Haugland

David Haugland, age 90, of Watertown, formerly of Clark, died Friday, October 13, 2023 in Brookings, SD with family by his side.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 5-7 PM at Furness Funeral Home in Clark and one hour prior to funeral services. Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Pastor Rhonda Hanisch officiating. Burial will follow with National Military Army Honors at Rose Hill Cemetery.  Lunch will follow burial at the St. Paul Lutheran basement.

David Martin Haugland was born February 19, 1933 in a round barn on a ranch on the Big White River, south of Draper, SD.  He is the son of Nels S. and Doris (Prahl) Haugland.

David attended country school at Westover, SD, 10 miles south of Murdo, SD. In 1947, he and his family moved into Murdo where he attended school and graduated from Murdo High School in 1951. When he was 13 years old, David began working for the W.H. Sorenson Funeral Home of Murdo which influenced his career choice.

Following his high school graduation, David attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell majoring in Pre-Mortuary Science. He then attended the College of Mortuary Science in St. Louis, MO, graduating with honors in 1953. He passed the SD State Board of Funeral Service Exam and received his funeral director license in 1954.

In April of 1954, David joined the US Army, serving in Japan as a driver for an officer in charge of the 155th Artillery Battalion. He was honorably discharged in April of 1956. David purchased the Nash Funeral Home of Clark, SD in May of 1956.

David was united in marriage to Doris Hussong on February 6, 1957 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Okabena, MN.

During his many years of service to the Clark community, David had been involved in several civic organizations. Among them are the Clark Rotary Club since January 1, 1957, the Clark Jaycees, the American Legion Smith-Cagley Post #60, St. Paul Lutheran Church, and the Elks Lodge of Watertown, SD. David retired from funeral service on July 1, 1991.

Since retiring, David and Doris spent their summers in Clark and winters in Green Valley, AZ. Doris died in November 2010.  David continued to travel between SD and AZ. In addition to spending time in SD and AZ, David also enjoyed travels in MN, ND, and extended trips to Canada, Mexico and Norway. He also enjoyed fishing tremendously.

Survivors include his children, Dan (Diana Tobey) of South Berwick, ME, Denise (Steve) Perry of Presho, SD, granddaughters, Abby Perry of Presho and Madison (Scott Smith) Haugland of Omaha, NE, great-grandson, Severin, brother Maurice (Pam) Haugland of Lead, SD (Gold Canyon, AZ-winter), sisters Karen (Ken) Poppe of Hill City, SD (Gold Canyon, AZ-winter), and Essy Moser of Gillette, WY, a god-daughter Kim Poppe-Smart of Leavenworth, KS, brother-in-law, Jerry (Jewell) Hussong of Branson, MO, special friend, Rhonda Hanisch, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Nels and Doris Haugland, his wife, Doris, in-laws, Clifford and Alice Hussong and brother-in-law, Marvin Moser.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Rose Hill Cemetery Tree Project where a tree will be planted in his memory, the Clark Rotary, or the Clark Area Community Foundation.

Furness Funeral Home of Clark is assisting the family with arrangements and have an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.