Genella was born on February 19, 1928 in Max, ND to Reinhold & Mary (Hoffman) Herdt. She attended school in Max before moving to their farm in Nohly, MT.. She met Dagnar Haugen and they eloped to Dillon, MT and were married on November 23, 1944. They moved to the Haugen farm at Four Mile, MT. This is where she learned how to cook Lutefisk and roll Lefse. They had three children, Robert, Myrna, and Mary.In 1956 they moved to Big Horn, and then eventually moved into Sheridan. She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, where her and her sister started the annual Lutefisk dinner.Genella went to work as a nurses aide at Sheridan Memorial Hospital where she worked for several years. She liked playing cards and visiting with her friends and family. She is survived by her daughter Myrna Loomis, Robert Haugen (Jeri), Mary Welter (Kip); Six grandchildren, Tim Loomis, Kris Malli(Leroy), Vicki Benedict (Willy), Steven Haugen (Michelle), Charlotte Brown (Josh) and Valerie Welter; 13 great grand children; Two sisters, Judeen Berry and Charlene (Bob) Aas; numerous nieces and nephews. Genella is preceded in death by her parents, Reinhold & Mary, her husband Dagnar, her sister Frances, and her brother Elmer. The family has requested that memorials be directed to the GreenHouse Living of Sheridan.Inurnment will be Friday, May 8, 2020 in the Elks, section of Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.