Robert Haabala, 75

Robert Alexander Haabala, 75, Villard, passed away unexpectedly on January 16, 2013 at St. Cloud Hospital with family at his side.

Funeral services will be at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria on Saturday, February 2 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Denise Croskey presiding.

Visitation will be held at Anderson Funeral Home on Friday, February 1 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Robert was born February 5, 1937 in Starbuck, the son of Alex and Emily Haabala. He attended Country School #5 and graduated from

Brandon High School in 1955. He joined the Air Force as an aviation cadet in

1959 and ended his military career as an Air Force Reservist in 1965.

He was united in marriage in 1973 to Alberta Hanson and opened up his heart and home to her three teenage children. At the time of their marriage, they moved to Villard and had resided there since.

He worked as a carpenter, and large equipment operator/mechanic. Later in his career, he concentrated on his love of carpentry until his retirement in 1999.

Robert enjoyed doing home improvements, fishing, riding snowmobile, making wooden crafts with Alberta, playing accordion and reserved Sunday mornings for working on crossword puzzles.

Robert is survived by his sister, Hilda (William) Betterman of Brandon; daughters, Connie Chenowith (Mike) of Swift Falls, Christine Jenniges of Starbuck; son, Thomas (Brenda) Hanson of Morristown; niece, Cindy (Chad) Fredrick of Westport; nephews, Randy Betterman of Brandon, Christopher Haabala of St. Paul; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Robert was preceded in death by his loving wife, Alberta; parents, Alex and Emily Haabala; brother, Charles Haabala; three grandchildren, Adam James Jenniges, Alexis Danielle Jenniges, and Andrew David Hanson; and a special aunt, Martha Haabala.

Robert was an incredible father who showed strength and control in spite of Alberta bringing her three teenagers into their marriage. He will be missed immensely by all of those who knew him.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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