Martha Haabala

Martha Haabala Martha L. Haabala was born on the family farm in Moe Township, Douglas County, Minnesota on February 19, 1917, the daughter of Matthias and Christina (Salmeda) Haabala. She attended District #5 country school in Moe Township through the 8th Grade. The District #5 schoolhouse that Martha attended is the building that now sits in the Fort Alexandria museum village. As a young woman Martha corresponded with a restaurant in Minnepolis and was hired through the mail. She took the bus to Minneapolis and began working at Becky?s Cafeteria in South Minneapolis. She eventually worked in the restaurant for over 35 years and was the kitchen manager. She did take a break during the World War II years and came home to work on the fmily farm because most of her brothers had enlisted in the military service. Martha was independent throughout her entire life. She never had a driver?s license and relied on public transportation to get to all of her commitments. She was kind, loyal, and very generous to her many nieces and nephews. She enjoyed her rural roots and loved to be outdoors cutting brush and working on the farm. Martha returned to the Farwell area in the late 1970?s upon her retirment. For the past 15 months she had been a resident of Knute Nelson in Alexandria. She died there on November 5, 2011, at the age of 94 years. Martha is survived by a sister-in-law Sylvia Haabala of Farwell and many nieces and nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Oscar Haabala, John Haabala, Walter Haabala, Alex Haabala, Francis Haabala, Teddy Haabala, Carl Haabala, Ralph Haabala, and Ausgust Salmey and sister Mary Olson. Graveside services were held on Thursday, November 10, 2011, at the Finnish Apostolic Cemetery in Moe Township with Rev. Denise Croskey officiating. Pallbearers were ____________. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net