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Gladyce Viola Haapala Obituary – 11/03/08


Gladyce Viola Haapala, age 95, of Dassel, died Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, at the Lakeside Healthcare Center of Dassel.

Gladyce was born April 19, 1913, to Charles and Emily (Ring) Pettit in Cokato. She grew up and attended school in the area.

Her first employment was as a domestic housekeeper in the area, and later as a waitress at the George Butcher Café in Cokato. She was later employed at the Anderson Café & Bus Depot in downtown Cokato.

Gladyce was united in marriage to Ray Haapala of Dassel Aug. 25, 1933. They were blessed with two children, Barb and Daniel.

They resided in Dassel for a time, later moved to a farm in Collinwood Township, and then moved to the Haapala farm northeast of Dassel Oct. 19, 1936.

In the fall of 1960, Gladyce attended a cake decorating school sponsored by Maid of Scandinavia, where she received her diploma as a professional decorator. She enjoyed making wedding and anniversary cakes, as well as birthday cakes, cookies, bars, and pies.

She and her late husband, Ray, were long-time members of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel.

Gladyce leaves to mourn her passing her son, Daniel, of Dassel; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sisters Delores Baazard of Blackduck, Gloria Colburn of Blackduck, Betty Juneau of Oregon, and Caroline Shacklett of Ohio.

In addition to her husband, Ray, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Walls; and siblings Doris Settergren, Evelyn Erpelding, Lorraine Carnes, and William “Bud” Pettit.

The funeral service was Thursday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel with the Rev. John Peterson officiating. Soloist Sheldon Hedin sang “The King Is Coming” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Florine Osness was the organist. Congregational hymns were “O Lord, Now Let Your Servant,” Kyrie! God, Father,” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Interment was at the Dassel Cemetery.

A one-hour visitation took place Thursday, prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements were by the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel.

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