Douglas A Haefner

Douglas Haefner passed away at home in the loving arms of his family at 12:00 PM on October 29, 2024, after a short battle with brain cancer. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, Nov. 2, at New Song Church, 3200 N 11th St., Bismarck. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Friday, Nov. 1, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM.

Douglas Arthur Haefner was born to Arthur Emil and Ruth Othelia (Baer) Haefner on July 29, 1950 in Mobridge, South Dakota. He grew up in Mobridge, and at the age of six moved with the family to the Grover Hand Ranch.

Doug attended Chamberlain Country School through fifth grade and attended middle school in Trail City, SD. He graduated from Maplewood Academy in Huthinson, MN in 1968. Following graduation, Doug attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD and then attended BJC (Bismarck Junior College) where he earned his carpentry apprenticeship degree.

Doug loved cars. His pride and joy was his red Ford Mustang Mach I that he often drove to Mobridge where he met the love of his life, Debra Joy Fode. Doug and Deb were engaged to be married in 1972 and were married May 30, 1974, in Mobridge at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Soon after, the newlyweds moved to Bismarck, ND. Doug and Deb were blessed with two children. Their daughter, Melissa Sue was born in October of 1977 and in 1979 their son, Bryan Douglas was born. Growing up, the kids were very active in Pathfinders and the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Doug’s kids were everything to him.

Doug worked for Froeschle’s Construction from 1976 to 1988 and Capital City Construction from 1988 to 1990. In 1983 Doug built their forever home in North Bismarck and in 1990 they started their own business, Haefner Construction.

Doug adored his grandchildren and was their biggest fan through everything they did. He and Deb loved going to their basketball, volleyball, football games and all of their track and school events. Everyone that played sports with the kids also knew grandpa Doug and grandma Deb, because they were always there. Doug also loved Arizona. After retiring he and Deb spent the winter months in their home in Sun City, Arizona.

Doug is survived by his wife, Deb; children, Melissa (Matt) Sagaser, and Bryan; grandchildren, Ashton (Kaleb) McGraw, Adison and Aiden Sagaser, and Melissa Lynn (Jeremy); great-grandchildren, Willow and Harper; siblings, Yvonne, Mike (Christine), David, and Susan (Dale) Bender; sister and brothers-in-law, Pauline Ehrmantraut, John (Shirley) Fode, Joan (Cliff) Wilson, Albert (Birdie) Fode, Delores Page, Arthur (Deb) Fode, and Robert Fode.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Ruth Haefner, Deb’s parents, John and Myrtle Fode and stepdad, Herb Becker; one sister, Bonnie Weron; and brother and sisters-in-law, Gary Page and Ben Ehrmantraut, Betty Jean Fode, and Margaret Fode.