Lois Haakenson, 90

Nov. 22, 1929 —

Dec. 6, 2019

 

CRESCO - Lois Haakenson, age 90, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 at 11 a.m. with Father Jacob Rouse officiating. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery.

Lois Gertrude Long, daughter of Ray and Mary (Collins) Long, was born on Nov. 22, 1929, in rural Cresco. As a girl, she was an active 4-H member in the Howard Center Stars for many years, which she enjoyed immensely. She attended rural schools in her early years, as well as Austin High School and Cresco High School. 

Upon graduation from Cresco High School, Lois attended secretarial school in Chicago, Ill. She worked in Chicago upon completion of her courses until she married Verdell Lowell Haakenson. The couple was united in marriage at Assumption Catholic Church in Cresco on June 14, 1952. To this union were born three children, Roxanne, Eric and Cheryl.

The newlyweds moved to an army base in South Dakota, where Lois was a secretary and Verdell was a pharmacist. When Verdell’s time in the service was completed, the couple lived in Elma, Iowa, Bettendorf, Iowa and Sterling, Ill. before moving to Cresco, where they raised their family.

Lois was an active volunteer during her years of residence in Cresco. She participated in the community as a Cub Scout leader and as an officer in the federated clubs of Howard County with memberships in Clio and Friends in Council. She was also an active member in the Cresco Community Theatre, Cresco Area Fine Arts Council, Cresco Country Club and Notre Dame Catholic Church. At Notre Dame Parish, Lois assisted with altar care and the Family Circles of Faith.

Additional commitments she made were serving on the Hospital Auxiliary Board, Howard County Board of Health and the Cresco Theatre Commission. Lois also volunteered many years as secretary of the Howard County Historical Society, assisting with its annual events at both the Kellow House and at the Howard County Historical Building at the Howard County Fairgrounds.

The couple owned the KuTee Shop, a children’s clothing store in Cresco, which Lois operated. She later worked at Hoines Drug Store in Cresco, which she and Verdell also owned.

During her long and active life, Lois was a devoted wife, mother and friend. She took great care in making her family and friends feel welcome in her home. She was an accomplished seamstress and found homemaking very rewarding. She was an avid gardener, frequently picking flowers from her garden to grace the family dining table. She enjoyed singing, gathering with friends, dancing with Verdell, listening to music, golfing, playing bridge, traveling and reading. 

Lois derived much joy from hosting her family during holiday celebrations in the home she and Verdell resided in together for over 50 years. 

She is survived by her three children, Roxanne Hughes of Cresco, Eric (Marcia) Haakenson of Lake View, Iowa and Cheryl Krase of Vancouver, Wash.; six grandchildren, Emily Hughes (Scott Marks) of North Liberty, Iowa, Melissa (Ben) Aga of Rochester, Minn., Erin (Jeremiah) Evans of Ankeny, Iowa, Adam Haakenson of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jennifer (Georgia) Mannion-Krase of London, England and Nathanial (Heather) Daniels-Krase of Vancouver; and eight great-grandchildren, Max Von Holten, Eli and Isaac Aga, Eve, Michael, Raphael and Emma-Jean Evans and Deaglon Daniels.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Verdell; her siblings, Hulda Bardouche, Helen Musel, Eleanor Rooks and Larry Long; and her great-grandson, Gabriel Robert Evans.

In memory of Lois, memorials are preferred to Notre Dame Parish, Howard County Community Hospice or Evans Memorial Home.