Sylvia J. Haabala

Sylvia Jeanette Haabala was born in Holmes City Township, MN on August 20, 1924, the fourth child of Oscar and Olive (Christianson) Nygaard. She was baptized and confirmed from the Trysil Lutheran Church and attended country school district #27 through the eighth grade. Sylvia helped her parents on the farm and worked at Bethany Home before moving to Minneapolis for a few years. While living in Minneapolis Sylvia worked at Becky’s Café in Downtown Minneapolis as a cook. Sylvia moved back to her parent’s farm and soon met Ralph Haabala. They were united in marriage on June 24, 1950 at the parsonage in Rothsey, MN. Seven children were born to this marriage, Phillip, Wayne, Adrian “Woody”, Ronald, Dale, Karen, and Susan. Sylvia and Ralph provided well for their family and also taught them the meaning of hard work. Sylvia sewed clothes and dresses for her children, baked bread and cooked many meals for her family. She enjoyed a few crafts like ceramics and quilting. Sylvia’s Norwegian heritage was very important to her; in 1983, she had the opportunity to travel to Norway with Ralph. Sylvia’s favorite hobby was her gardening. She had worked at Anderson’s Country Lane Nursery in rural Farwell for many years tending to flowers and shrubbery. She was able to grow beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Sylvia was a member of the Alexandria Garden Club for many years. The Douglas County Fair was the highlight of Sylvia’s summers. She would enter her flowers, baked goods and various handcrafted items resulting in many awards. Sylvia’s Christian faith was strong; she was a loyal member of the Oscar Lake Lutheran Church. Sylvia was a hardworking, confident, and determined woman. She was also very proud of her family. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her. Sylvia J. Haabala died on Monday, February 23, 2015 at Bethany Home in Alexandria at the age of 90 years old. She is survived by her sons Phillip (Pat) Haabala of Alexandria, Wayne (Cindy) Haabala of Farwell, and Adrian “Woody” (Jean) Haabala of South Haven; daughters Karen (Kevin) Johnson of Alexandria and Susan (Douglas) Krig of Clear Lake; daughter-in-law Linda Haabala of Port Angeles, WA; 13 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; sister Palma Berg of Amery, WI; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph, sons Ronald and Dale, sisters Cora Whittaker, Edith Anderson, and Adeline Berg and brother Julian Nygaard. Sylvia J. Haabala age 90 of Alexandria died on Monday, February 23, 2015 at Bethany Home in Alexandria. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 11Am at Oscar Lake Lutheran Church near Farwell, MN with the Reverend Denise Croskey officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday, February 27, 2015 from 4-7PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and also for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Trysil Lutheran Cemetery. Casket Bearers were Jon Haabala, Chad Haabala, Mitch Haabala, Ryan Johnson, Brandon Krig, and Taylor Minners. Honorary Casket Bearers were Stacy Nathan, Kristen Haabala-Wiener, Beth Rosin, Kari Haabala, Holly Minners, Rachel Haabala, Hope Haabala, and Chase Haabala.

Sylvia J. Haabala

August 20, 1924 - February 23, 2015