Thomas (Tom) Virgil Haugo, age 67 of Bottineau, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 26, 2021 at a Minot hospital with his family by his side.  His memorial service will be held on Monday, January 3, 2022 at 10:00 am at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bottineau.  A prayer service will be held on Sunday, January 2nd at 6:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Tom was born February 25, 1954 in Bottineau, ND to Theodore and Lillian (McCharles) Haugo. He was raised on the family farm alongside his 5 sisters where his love for the outdoors and his hard work ethic was fostered. Tom graduated from Bottineau High School in 1972, and has been hard at work ever since.

In marriage to Cheryl Haugo, Tom was given his four biggest sources of pride, his children: Stacey, Ryan, Riley and Corey. Tom loved teaching life skills and the importance of hard work to his kids. One of the first lessons each child had to get down right away was that the best way to do something was to do it dad's way. If you were doing it dad's way, you were probably doing an OK job.

Throughout his lifetime, Tom held many different jobs and mastered numerous skills and trades, that it would be easier to list what Tom has not done rather than what he has. Tom greatly enjoyed welding, farming, tending beef cattle and putting up hay on his own farmstead for many years with the help of his boys as they grew. Most recently Tom was employed by Border Ag in Bottineau and worked there as an Operator and truly loved his work. Tom continued haying although he had long quit raising cattle. He developed a list of loyal customers he loved being able to supply square bales to over the years.

In 2017 Tom began his favorite job when he became a Papa for the first time. Carson Thomas and Papa were the best of buds and Tom loved nothing more than sharing all his favorite things in 'Hillbilly Heaven' with his grandson. Countless hours were spent together tinkering in the shop, learning about tractors, balers and rakes, setting trail cameras, and ending each hard day's work with naps in Papa's chair. In not too long, Tom was blessed with two little granddaughters to dote upon. Piper and Adley were the gleam in Tom's eyes and the light of his life. Tom cherished each moment he had with his grandchildren.

Tom is survived by special friend and sweetheart, Arlys Kjelshus; his children: Stacey (Eric Westaby) Haugo, Ryan (Brittany) Haugo, Riley (Brittany) Haugo and Corey (Courtney) Haugo; his grandchildren: Carson, Piper and Adley Haugo; sisters Marianne (Bruce) Blanton, Joan Jonassen, Karen (Wayne) Melgard and Sherrie Jangula; many nieces and nephews and numerous good friends that Tom would say are truly family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Lillian, and his sister, Grace LaRocque.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.