Travis Haakenson, 1927-2014

Published 10:07 am Monday, October 6, 2014

Funeral services for Travis O. Haakenson will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lyle. The Rev. Barbara Finley-Shea will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Bonnerup Funeral Chapel in Albert Lea and again one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at Woodbury Cemetery in Lyle. Online condolences may be made at www.bonnerupfuneralservice.com.1006.obit.haakenson

Travis passed away in his sleep on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014. He was 87.

Travis Haakenson was born July 12, 1927, to Olaf and Berthilda (Thoreson) in Montevideo. Travis graduated high school from Madison. After graduation, he enlisted to serve in the United States Navy. He served for two years until his honorable discharge. After the military, Travis went to Brookings, S.D., to obtain a college degree in civil engineering.

Email newsletter signup

Travis was united in marriage to Lila (Montanye) on May 14, 1972, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. To this union three children were born. The couple called Lyle their home. In 1971 Travis was employed with Jones & Haugh in Albert Lea. He then began working for Mower County in the sanitation department and later the highway department. Travis also helped to run the grocery store in Lyle that his family owned.

Travis was a member of the Lyle American Legion, Austin VFW and was a member of the Lions Club for over 55 years. He enjoyed watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed bird watching, playing golf and meeting his friends every week to play pool. Travis was the announcer and a member of the chain gang during school football games in Lyle. Travis was also a talented singer, singing for the Austin Male Chorus and Our Savior’s Church choir. He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren.

Travis is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Andy.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Lila; children Julie Seavey and Thomas (Michael Waite) Haakenson; Julie’s children Benjamin and Jenna; Andy’s children Andrea, Krystel and Amanda; Thomas’ children Carlo and Ella; Michael’s children Oliver, Beatrice and Elliott; great-grandchildren Kyle, Ryan, Oliver and Alexis; a brother, Eugene (Heide) Haakenson; his beloved dog, Bruno; and many other cousins, relatives and friends.

Memorials are preferred to the Lions Eye Bank or donor’s choice.