Irene was born on August 2, 1929 in Columbus, North Dakota, to parents Iver and Karine Hallum. She was the fifth of six children.
She married Eugene S. Haugen on October 2, 1949 in Columbus, North Dakota. They shared fifty-one loving years of marriage together, before his passing on December 4, 2000.
Irene is survived by her children, Audrey Holm, Barbara (Charles) Hays, Steve Haugen, and Jim Haugen; her grandchildren, Jeannine, Daniel, and Brian; her brother, Lafe Hallum; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Bethany Hays Johnson; her husband, Eugene Haugen; three sisters and one brother.
