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Life story

" Liv Ragnhild Knutzen Hauge | December 4th, 1933 – December 30th, 2024

Liv, whose name means “life”, was born in San Francisco, CA to Else and Marcus Knutzen, immigrants from Norway. A year later she became a big sister to Mark. The family later moved to Ketchikan, AK, where her father was a missionary at the Seaman’s House. Liv and her brother spent their early childhood exploring the great outdoors of Alaska.

When Liv was 12, the family moved to Brooklyn, NY where she attended Bay Ridge High School. She was a cheerleader for Brooklyn Tech and a Girl Scout Leader. She sang in the choir at Zion Lutheran Church. It was there she met the love of her life, Kenneth Hauge, and their relationship blossomed as he walked her home from the ice cream parlor after youth group. Upon graduating from Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School, she worked for IBM in NYC. As a young woman, Liv traveled by ocean liner back to her parents' homeland in Norway and finally met the many relatives she had only heard about until then. She was filled with joy to find herself among, and loved by such a large family.

Liv and Ken were married in June of 1955 in Brooklyn, NY. Liv, then a military wife, accompanied Ken to Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS where she worked as secretary for the Adjutant General on base. Upon her husband completing his military service, they returned to Brooklyn where they had two children, Ken and Karen. Later, they moved to Hillsdale, NJ where they had Judy. Liv created her own business called Scandinavian Products, Inc. of which she was the founder and president, and opened a store of the same name. She oversaw all aspects of the business, which specialized in Scandinavian china and crystal, as well as her own hand-knitted Norwegian sweaters. After 10 years in NJ, she sold the business and the family moved to St Paul, MN where her husband attended Luther Theological Seminary. There she met people from all over the world and enjoyed learning about other cultures. Her love for supporting mission work took root while there and continued throughout her life. The family moved to Kennebunk, ME in 1971 where she grew to love her role as a pastor’s wife, and made lifelong friends serving in the mission congregation of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. She was the pianist for church services and directed the choir. She established the Dorcas Group in church for young girls to teach them handiwork such as knitting and needlework. In 1981 Liv and Ken moved to Oil City, PA in answer to another call in ministry, this time at Good Hope Lutheran Church. There, Liv wrote and directed Christmas and Easter pageants, and taught piano lessons in their home. After retirement, Liv and Ken settled in Fredericksburg, VA. Liv continued teaching piano and fostering community in organizing cross-stitch groups for neighborhood girls thereby teaching domestic life skills. Her philosophy that “it’s good to be bored so you can find things to do” was the basis for her advice that one never needs to be bored for long.

At the heart of Liv’s life was an unwavering love for Jesus Christ, and she lived to give God the glory. She loved to ask others about their own lives, and encouraged them to use their gifts to the greatest potential in service. She was a true “people person” and had a knack for bringing people together and was always interested in their stories. If she ever asked, “how are you REALLY?” she genuinely wanted to know. With Liv, there was no “six degrees of separation”. She seemed to know everyone, and everyone knew her. To know her was to love her. Liv could light up a room with her smile, while her unique and beautiful laugh was a testament to her joyful spirit.

In her later years as activities waned, Liv loved to dig deep into her Bible, reading the Scriptures and the Psalms she loved so much, while letting her family know she was ready to be with Jesus. Her deepest desire was for her family to know Jesus as well.

Liv will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of connection, encouragement, and genuine warmth will live on. She was a shining example of a life lived in faith, love, and devotion.

Liv is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth Hauge of Fredericksburg, VA; her son, Ken Hauge (Millie) of Nanuet, NY; her daughters, Karen Hauge Whelpley (Keith) of Fredericksburg, VA and Judy Hauge Larney of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; her brother, Marcus Knutzen (Julie) of Mineral Bluff, GA; eight grandchildren, Nicholas Whelpley (Sarah), Steven Whelpley (Jessica), and Else Whelpley Bartee (James), Kyle Hauge and Kirsten Hauge Madalena (Rich), Conner Larney, Dylan Larney, and Olivia Larney; and seven great-grandchildren, Jackson Whelpley and Charles Whelpley, Chloe Whelpley and Alana Whelpley, Sophia Bartee and Olivia Bartee, and Russell Madalena; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom will cherish her memory and strive to carry on her legacy of love and faith.

A Celebration Of Life service will be held on Saturday, February 1 at 2:30 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 5120 Harrison Road, Fredericksburg, VA. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to World Mission Prayer League (www.wmpl.org) or to Redeemer Lutheran Church (www.redeemerfxbg.org).
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