Marlys LaMay (Larson) Haughie

With family around her, Marlys died on August 2, 2023, in Winter Park, Florida, after enduring 3 1/2 years of Lewy Body Dementia. She was 84 years old. Marlys was born to Grace and Olaf Larson on May 23, 1939, in Clarkfield, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Swedish Lutheran Church (Augustana). She was married on July 9, 1960, to the love of her life, Glenn Haughie, in the same church. Her beloved siblings are Georgia Edmunds and Allen Larson.

Marlys always kept busy. At a young age, she was a server in the Johnson Ice Cream Store. Later, she worked as a nurse’s aide in the Clarkfield Hospital. After graduation from high school in 1957, she worked as a med tech in St. Paul, MN. In 1958, she followed Glenn to Cambridge, Massachusetts where she entered the Nursing School at Mount Auburn Hospital. Soon after the wedding she worked in a clinic for Sioux Indians in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Later, she was employed by Harvard University and Brigham Hospital in Boston. She earned both an RN degree and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She worked in an alcohol recovery program and also helped set up the first methadone clinic in Albany, NY. For 20 years, she worked as a Community Mental Health Nurse for the state of New York. In this position, she made visits to group homes and worked in an outpatient clinic.

Marlys retired in 1997. During her retirement she volunteered with Miracles in Action, a Non-Profit Organization serving Mayan Women and children in Guatemala. She also supported Semilla Nueva, a not-for profit agricultural center fighting malnutrition and poverty with better corn in Guatemala. Marlys and Glenn made three trips to the highlands of Guatemala and Lake Atitlan in their seventies. Not an easy feat.

Marlys’ volunteer work and church involvement continued throughout the years. She sang soprano in church choirs and served as a deaconess in the Kinderhook Reformed Church and The Moorings Presbyterian Church. Marlys was also a member of the Rotary Club in Hudson, NY. Her hobbies included treasure hunts in thrift stores, tending her plants, and remembering the birthdays of family and friends.

Marlys and Glenn bore four children: Melinda Grace, Jill Laverna, Patrick William, and Peter Olaf. Sadly, we lost Patrick 50 years ago in an accident. Marlys’ ashes will be interred next to Patrick at the Clarkfield City Cemetery.

Marlys was known as “Nana” to her grandsons, Brendan Haughie Fowl (31), Liam Haughie Fowl (29), and Thomas Nathaniel Haughie (14). She hosted many Thanksgivings together with Steve and Melinda. She danced and rejoiced at Brendan and Maddie’s wedding in 2018. More recently, Marlys smiled and recognized Liam during his Florida visit. At this same time, Melinda and Marlys created a video celebrating Thomas’ 14th birthday. Nana said, “Bye sweetheart. Drop By…”

Marlys cherished the love of all her family. She so appreciated the time, energy, travel, and hospitality of Peter, Katrina, and Thomas in Florida and Melinda and Steve’s support from Baltimore.

Marlys and Jill shared a very close Mother/Daughter relationship. As a nurse and caregiver, Jill cared for Mom and managed the care teams associated with her illness. Jill was forever devoted to her mother.

Marlys Haughie’s memorial service will take place on Saturday, August 26th at 1 PM at the Augustana Lutheran Church in Clarkfield. Her family requests that donations be made to Semilla Nueva in Guatemala. (www.semillanueva.org) or to the Lewy body Dementia Association. (www.lbda.org)

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