Bryan James Haugen, 57, of Cando, ND passed away unexpectedly June 22, 2023 at the Towner County Medical Center in Cando, ND. Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the North Star Public School in Cando with Pastor Bonnie Weaver officiating. Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM at the school.  Burial will take place at the I.O.O. F. Cemetery in Cando.  Everyone is invited to join the family at the Cando Golf Club following the burial for a time of fellowship.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the North Star Football Program: P.O. Box 489 Cando, ND 58324.

Bryan James Haugen was born January 15, 1966 to Duane and Marie (Jacobson) Haugen in Cando, ND.  He was raised and educated in Cando, graduating with the class of 1984. He furthered his education, graduating from Valley City State University with a Bachelor's Degree in 1988. Bryan also played football for the Vikings, and his team was inducted into the Valley City State University Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.  Bryan was united in marriage to Lavonne Rotvold on August 4, 1990 in Hillsboro, ND.  He received his Master's Degree from South Dakota State University in 1992.

Bryan was a natural born coach and began his coaching career at VCSU as an assistant coach in gymnastics. His team was inducted into the VCSU Hall of Fame in 2002.  He was a student football coach for one year until his graduation in 1988.  He moved on to South Dakota State University as a football graduate assistant while he worked on his Masters. He graduated in 1992 and moved to White, SD where he was a business education teacher and football, volleyball, and track coach at Deubrook Area Schools in White, SD. While at Deubrook, he coached the Dolphin volleyball team to a State Class B Championship.

In 1998, the couple moved to Cando where Bryan purchased Cando Lumber with his brother, Mark.  Bryan began teaching business and physical education and coaching football and golf at North Star School in 2007.  During his tenure the Bearcat girls' golf team qualified for state in 2009, the football team was a 9-man State Runner-up in 2011, and he was an assistant coach on the Bearcats' basketball team that became State Class B Champions in 2011 and State Runners-up in 2012.  He had just recently resigned his coaching duties to spend more time with his family.  His list of coaching achievements included 2011 Football Coach of the Year, being named a head coach and assistant coach of the Shrine Bowl, and being head coach of the SasKota Bowl All-Star football team.

Bryan was a member of the Cando Lutheran Church and the Cando Golf Club, where he held various positions at both.  He was also a Chamber Board Member in Cando when he was involved in the business community, and a former member of the Cando Fire Department.  Bryan enjoyed football and golf and would watch them avidly on television. He also enjoyed watching cooking shows and loved to cook, especially with hot sauce. Inspired by his parents, Bryan loved his community and would volunteer wherever needed.  His favorite past time was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and four grand dogs.  Bryan will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Bryan is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lavonne; children, Melanie (Daniel) Wahl of Cando, ND and Joshua (Ashley) of Bismarck, ND; grandchildren, Amelia, Sophie and Brianna; brothers, Kerry (Roxann) of Cando, ND and Mark (Chris) of Bismarck, ND and Arizona; multiple nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Duane and Marie Haugen