Martin Haaland

Martin Haaland, age 91, of Alexandria, formerly of Minneapolis, died Friday, October 9, 2015. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM Thursday, October 15, 2015 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN. Interment will follow in the Kinkead Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 PM Thursday at the church. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. OBITUARY Martin Haaland was born April 5, 1924 in Veblen, SD, the son of Martin and Lena (Josephson) Haaland. He grew up in Veblen where he graduated from high school. In 1943, immediately following high school, Martin joined the United States Army Air Corp. He served in the 15th Army Air Force and flew missions over Austria, Hungary and Berlin as a waist gunner on a B-17 bomber. Martin was stationed in Italy during World War II. Following his discharge from the Army Martin moved to Minneapolis, MN where he started a service station. On July 22, 1949 Martin was united in marriage to Mary Murphy in Minneapolis. The couple lived in Minneapolis and was blessed with three children, Virginia, Eugene, and Janet. Martin sold the service station he oewned and began working as an auto mechanic at Downtown Chevrolet in Minneapolis. He worked there until his retirement. Martin liked doing building projects and home improvement projects. He built a family cabin near Webster, WI and later built a home on Lake Vermont near Parkers Prairie. He also enjoyed doing woodworking He enjoyed the outdoors and preferred country living to the city. After Mary experience some health issues, Martin and Mary moved to Alexandria, MN. Martin’s family, especially his grandchildren, was very important to him. On Friday, October 9, 2015 Martin died at the age of ninety-one years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Haaland; his daughter, Virginia Haaland. Martin is survived by his son, Gene Haaland and wife, Susan Swenson, of Zimmerman, MN, his daughter, Janet Haaland of Minneapolis; and four grandchildren, Andrea Nelson, Troy Nelson, Chad Nelson and Brandon Nelson. A funeral service was held Thursday, October 15, 2015 at the Bethesda Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Reverend Jerry Lanes officiated. Interment followed in the Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. Military honors were accorded by the American Legion Post 87, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936 and the Minnesota National Guard. Casket bearers include Troy Nelson, Chad Nelson, Brandon Nelson, Ronald Haaland, Jerome Haaland and Paul Sandford. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.

Martin Haaland

April 5, 1924 - October 9, 2015