Marilyn Haugen

Marilyn Ambler Haugen passed away peacefully after a battle with cancer at Good Samaritan hospital on December 3, 2019 in Puyallup, Washington at the age of 91. 

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Torval J. Haugen; daughters , Karen L. Tadena(Ron) and Kristen A. Padilla(Greg); grandchildren, Allen Sensel(Brianna), Lauren Cockle(Max), Joseph Padilla, Matthew Padilla, Gabriel Padilla and Sophia Tadena; and great-grandchildren, Mason Sensel and Olliver Sensel. She is preceded in death by her father, John O. Ambler; mother, Virginia H. Ambler and brother, Richard H. Ambler.

Marilyn was born on October 3, 1928 in New Brunswick, New Jersey to John and Virginia Ambler. She grew up in Bloomfield, NJ and during the summer spent many wonderful times in the family’s summer home in Lake George, NY. Marilyn was very active in drama and loved to sing in choir throughout her high school years. She graduated from Rutgers University in 1950 with degrees in both English and Drama. After receiving her teaching certificate, she began teaching grade school in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In 1963, she traveled to Europe where she met Torval Haugen at the US Army base in Zweibrucken Germany, where he was a major in the United States Army. They married on December 3, 1966 and honeymooned in Florida; after which took an extensive road trip to the west coast. In 1967, while Torval was in Vietnam, Marilyn gave birth to Karen while she was staying with her parents in Glens Falls, NY. They met up in Hawaii where Torval saw his daughter for the first time. After transferring to Heidelberg, Germany, their second child, Kristen was born in 1971. He was then stationed to Ft. Lewis, Washington and eventually settled in Puyallup.

Her children remember her as a loving, faithful and supportive mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals.

After moving to Puyallup, Washington in 1974, Marilyn began volunteering at her children’s school and started hosting a Bible-based Good News Club after school for the neighborhood kids. She encouraged her daughters to try various activities such as ice skating, gymnastics, ballet, piano and violin. She often volunteered at the local food bank. Desiring to get back into teaching, she became certified in Washington State and started working at Puyallup Valley Christian School (later becoming Cascade Christian) in 1983, first as a drama coach, then eventually first grade teacher. Marilyn was accomplished at many things. One of her passions in life was to travel to new and interesting places with her husband. They traveled to Norway, Finland and Sweden, took an Alaskan cruise, and visited Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. She and her husband owned a condo in Cabo San Lucas and had many wonderful vacations with the family to Lake George, NY, Vermont, Massachusetts and Minnesota where her husband grew up.

Marilyn was also heavily involved in Bible Study Fellowship along with her husband and became a leader until recent years. Her faith was extremely important to her.

She was a generous individual who loved music and who was passionate about her students. She was an active and dedicated member of the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church and often volunteered in the many drama productions over the years.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 pm, Sunday, December 29, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 12115 Park Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444, with a reception to follow at the church. Pastor Jeffery Gaustad will officiate the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Marilyn Haugen’s life. 

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