January 5, 1925 – May 22, 2022

Our precious mom, Laura Ruth (Dahl) Hauger entered peacefully into heaven on May 22, 2022, at Prairie Lake Seniors Community in Grande Prairie, AB at the age of 97 with Beth by her side.

Laura was born on January 5th, 1925, at home in Halcourt, AB to Anna Alta (Cage) Dahl and Elmer Clarence Dahl, the eldest in a family of four. Her siblings were William Clarence Dahl, Edna Joan (Dahl) Loven, and Karen Edith (Dahl) Plummer.

In 1931 the Dahl family moved a mile east of Halcourt into a beautiful new home on their farmland. Growing up in the Halcourt community, Laura experienced a rich childhood surrounded by her grandparents Wesley and Amanda Cage and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Laura attended school at Halcourt, first in a little log building for Grades 1-9, completed Grades 10 &11 in the Halcourt community hall, and then moved to Beaverlodge for Grade 12.

While living at home Laura spent much time in sports. She fondly remembers walking the mile to Halcourt to play softball and basketball, and even in the winter walking the mile after supper to play badminton. One day when the family went to Grande Prairie, her Dad took her to Baldwin’s Sport store and bought her a badminton racquet. It had a spring press, not like the others that had to be screwed together. She was so delighted and treasured that racquet her entire life.

After Grade 12 (the year is 1943), Laura’s application for employment at the Canadian Bank of Commerce in Beaverlodge was accepted, and by the fall she was transferred to the Branch in Dawson Creek, BC. She remembers traveling there by train, the muddy streets, and the place being full of soldiers as the Alcan Hwy. was being built. In June of 1944 Laura moved back to Beaverlodge and worked at the Beaverlodge & District Co-operative Ltd. Store as a clerk and bookkeeper for over three years.

Laura loved to share this memory of her life. “My folks gave each of us kids a horse. Dad picked out the mare we would receive the colt from. Pet was chosen for me. Her colt was a beautiful dappled gray mare. I called her Flash. When Dad took her to market, he got $300 for her. He could hardly believe she would fetch that much. I bought a little house in Beaverlodge with the money. Later I got a lot, had a basement dug, and then Dad and Bill moved my house onto the basement. Dad also made steps to the basement and steps outside. I had a cute little house.”

Laura met Allan William Hauger in Beaverlodge. In Laura’s words this is how it happened. “Allan had come back from the war, I never knew him before, but I was friends with his sister and knew his brother who went overseas too. Anyway, one evening a knock came to the door and there stood the most handsome critter I had ever seen. He was wearing a brown tweed overcoat, brown hat, white scarf, and brown gloves. He said “Hello! I hear two nice girls live here”. Joan was staying with me going to high school. Right away I thought which one is he interested in? Anyway, Joan’s boyfriend was there, so it was me he asked to go to the dance coming up.” Their courtship was one of friendship and fun and they attended many country dances together.

When the wedding day was set Laura soon sold her house and her cousin Audrey then invited her to work at a country store in Hotchkiss, AB that she and her husband Melvin Connell owned. On June 16, 1948, Laura and Allan were married in the little country church near Halcourt. Following the reception they left for a month-long honeymoon in Banff, Jasper, the Coast and into the States coming back to Allan’s farm north of Valhalla Centre.

The Lord blessed Allan and Laura’s marriage with three daughters. Amanda Joan, Patricia Mae, and Elizabeth Anne.

Laura attended the Valhalla Lutheran Church and served faithfully in the Ladies’ Aid. She enjoyed baking, cooking, and serving in the church kitchen. Laura and Allan lived on the farm for 26 years. Laura was a great support to Allan during those farming years. Many delicious lunches were delivered to the field during harvest time. While raising the family everyone enjoyed cinnamon buns, cream cake with caramel icing, cookie sheet chocolate cake, matrimonial date squares, cookies, and buns fresh from the oven. Laura grew a large vegetable garden and beautiful flowers framed the family home. In the fall of 1974, Laura and Allan moved into Grande Prairie where they enjoyed many years of retirement. Laura always loved to dress up and look her finest. They attended many community events, delivered Meals on Wheels, traveled the world, and entertained family and friends in their home.

While living in Grande Prairie they served faithfully together in the Alliance Church, especially enjoying the “Young at Heart” senior’s group. Laura, although deeply saddened with the loss of Allan in 2007, remained very brave. She continued to age gracefully embracing life surrounded now by her daughters and friends at the Emerald Gardens where she lived for over 10 years.

Laura leaves to mourn her passing her children Amanda Joan (Allan) Kuechle, Patricia Mae (Howard) Mayer and Elizabeth Anne Shoemaker all of Grande Prairie, AB, 6 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her brother William Dahl of Grande Prairie, AB, sister Karen (Andy) Plummer of Red Deer, AB, sister-in-law Irene (Frank) McDonald of Calgary, AB, brother-in-law Harold (Jessie) Hauger of Halcourt, AB, brother-in-law Bert Simmons of Nanimo, BC and many other family members.

Laura was predeceased by her loving husband of almost 59 years Allan Hauger, son-in-law Rick Shoemaker, parents Anna and Elmer Dahl, sister Joan Loven, brother-in-law Einar Loven, father and mother in-law George and Edith Hauger, brothers-in-law Erling, Norman, Robert and Marvin Hauger, sisters-in-law Josie Dahl, Gladys Simmons, Joan Hauger, Bertha Hauger and Merle Hauger and niece Doris Couture and nephew Robert Dahl.

Laura believed and trusted in Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord accepting His atonement for her sins. She was baptized and looked forward to eternity with Jesus.

Revelation 2:10 “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.”

Laura will be laid to rest beside her husband Allan at the Halcourt Cemetery. The family wishes to thank all the Health Care Providers at Emerald Gardens and Prairie Lake Community who cared for her.

For friends who wish to make donations in Laura’s memory they can be made to the Salvation Army, Box 907, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2T8.

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 bearcreekfuneral.com

• Date : 2022-05-22
• Location : Grande Prairie, AB.

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