Della A. Haakana's Obituary
Della A. Haakana, age 95, died Wednesday May 16, 2018 at her home in Spring Lake, MI. Della was born October 17, 1922 in Madison, MN to Edwin “Bert” and Anna (Lysholm) Kay. She graduated from Moorehead State Teachers College in 1942 and went on to teach school in New York Mills, MN where she met and married Carl Haakana on November 20,1949 in Basswood, MN. Prior to that, she had many summer adventures with her sister and other friends, traveling East to work at Wright Aeronautical in Teaneck, NJ and in 1945 during the war, to Renton Washington to work at the Boeing Aircraft plant where B29’s were being built.
Della and Carl relocated to Redford Township where Carl worked at the Ford Motor company and together they raised their three daughters. Della was a true role model to her girls as an example of leadership and community service. She served as the president of the board of education in Redford Township (the first woman to do so), was a girl scout leader, volunteered with the United Way and taught at the Salem Evangelical Church School, where she was an active member of the church community. In 1968, Della’s philanthropic and community service was recognized by the Ford Motor Company with the Ford good citizen award for outstanding community service, an honor of which she was very proud.
Retirement brought Carl and Della to Spring Lake Michigan where Della was a member at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. She forged many friendships there including special bonds with her book club and bridge groups.
Della was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and is survived by her sisters Avis Kay of San Diego, CA and June and Herbert Tweit of Glenwood, MN, daughter, Kay and Bob VandenElst of Holland, MI, grandson, Matthew VandenElst of Brooklyn, NY, daughter, Jean Haakana and Bette Bussel of Wayland, MA, son in law, Charles Resh and granddaughter, Jaclyn Resh of Sarasota, Fl as well as several nieces and nephews. Della was preceded in death by her loving husband, Carl, and beloved daughter Christine Resh, and her parents Bert and Anna Kay.
The funeral for Della will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 21, 2018, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Spring Lake with Rev. Michael Goers officiating. Friends may meet the family at a reception from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Interment will be in Spring Lake Cemetery.
Donations can be made in Della’s memory to St. Matthew Lutheran Church or Loveland Center in Venice, FL for their theater program. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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