Genevieve Marie Haakenstad passed away in her 94th year, at home with family, June 8th 2025.
Gen was born in Lacrosse WI the second daughter of Rueben and Irene Kimpton Olson. She grew up here with sister Marian, eleven months her senior. She moved to a farm outside Baraboo WI at age 16 and graduated from Baraboo High School.
On June 2, 1950, she married Richard Haakenstad, whom she met on a double date with her sister and fiancé Ronnie Kenyon, also of Mabel. They moved to a farm near Prosper. This farm had no electricity nor indoor plumbing, which was a new experience for Gen. They later moved to Lenora, where they farmed together for 35 years. Shortly after Richard’s death she purchased a house in Mabel.
For many years Gen was a mother and farm wife, doing chores on the farm and tending to the children. In later years when the younger kids were all in school, she went back to work as a machinist, doing that work for 25 years until retiring in 2002. During retirement she found multiple volunteer opportunities to keep her busy, including meals on wheels, the food shelf and sewing many quilts for veterans, McDonald house and battered women.
Genevieve believed being involved in church, school and neighborhood activities were important for her and her family. She was active in her church circle, a WELCA officer, 4H leader, farm bureau, quilt club, VFW, and her Lenora Leaders group.
Music brought much joy from a young age, playing in the band and orchestra and singing in the choir. You could often find her in the kitchen cooking and listening to music. She loved to read and was at the library weekly. Sewing, crocheting, and upholstering furniture were some activities she did in her spare time.
In summer there was always a large garden, growing many vegetables to can and freeze for the family, as well as an array of beautiful flowers.
Quilting was a favorite pastime in retirement, and she completed quilts of all sizes and colors for her children and grandchildren. She also made many quilts for the church and other charities.
Cooking and baking were probably her favorite activity. She was up early baking bread and cookies, often before sleeping guests made it downstairs for breakfast. A consummate hostess, she entertained groups large and small for nearly all holiday or special family occasions for the past seventy years.
A dedicated and loving mother to Larry (Jessica), Joan, Lynn (Marilyn), Rachel (Scott), Joyce, Craig (Molly), Lance and bonus son Jack. Grandmother to Jamie, Hannah, Carl, Christopher, Kevin, Melanie, Andrew, Deborah, Adam, Laura, Christopher, Brandt and Skye, plus many great-grandchildren and great-great grandsons. Sister-in-law of Elaine, Dolores and Shirley and aunt to numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Gen was admired and will be truly missed by those who knew her for her caring and easy going way.
Genevieve was preceded in death by husband Richard, son Mark, grandchildren April, Travis and Grayson, and sister Marian. Also, parents Rube and Irene, Herb and Clara Haakenstad, sister and brother in laws Ronald, Helen, Leslie, Clair, Edna, Lee, Lavonne, Dick, Beverly, Curt, and Norman.
A memorial service for Gen will be 11:00 am, Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel, MN. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A fellowship--open house will be Friday evening, August 1st from 5-8 at the church.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Mayo, WinnMed and Moments Hospice for the care mom received. Special thanks to the Gjere family, Caroline, Tina, Sarah, Tim, and many others whose kind acts will long be remembered.
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