Roberta Haataja

FUNERAL SERVICES : 1:00 pm on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN with Pastor Bob Light officiating.VISITATION : One hour prior to the services at the funeral home on Tuesday.INTERMENT : Balmi Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MNSURVIVORS : Her 3 daughters, Carol May of Park Rapids, MN, Diane Bortle of Menahga, MN, Kathryn (Mark) Hoyhtya of Columbia Heights, MN; 2 sons, Dale Haataja of Menahga, MN Danny Haataja of Menahga, MN; 8 grandchildren: Terry Bortle, Randy (Heather) Bortle, Paula (Jerry) Eischens, Bonnie May, Jill (Jim) Hartig, Matthew Hoyhtya, Nathan Hoyhtya and Sarah Barrientos; 14 great grandchildren; one sister, Lois Swenson of Minneapolis; one brother, William (Helen) Baker of Remer, MN; 3 nieces, Joyce, Gail, Barb; and one nephew, Denny. ROBERTA ANNA HAATAJASeptember 22, 1921 ~ February 17, 2011 Roberta Anna Haataja, age 89 of Menahga, MN, passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN with her family by her side. Roberta was born to Howard and Donnie (Briggs) Baker on September 22, 1921 in Milaca, MN. As a girl, Roberta attended country school near her home in Onamia, MN. She went on to graduate with the class of 1940 from Onamia High School. She then ventured to Minneapolis where she found employment with the North Star Blanket Company. She often reminisced about that time in her life and the important work that was done at North Star producing war time goods. The troops that benefited from her work included her twin brother Robert who served in the US Navy and lost his life in service to his country. In 1944 Roberta met Uno Haataja at a social gathering. Uno and Roberta were united in marriage on June 16th, 1945. Their union was blessed with five children: Carol, Diane, Kathryn, Dale and Danny. They made their home near Midway, MN. She remained in that same home until her passing. She took great pride in providing a warm and loving home for her growing family. She was an exceptional cook and baker who made many tasty treats for her family including: oatmeal raisin cookies, bread, and cinnamon rolls, but she was especially well known for her lemon meringue pie. She was a deeply religious woman. She was a longtime member of Bethany Lutheran church where she was actively involved in the ladies circle group. In the late 1960"s she gained employment with Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga where she worked as a Nursing Assistant until her retirement in 1986. Roberta endured the loss of her husband Uno in 1993. She spent much of her spare time reading, especially the Bible. Roberta looked forward to the trips, made only a few times each year, to Minneapolis to visit her family. She also found pleasure in music and movies but most of all Roberta was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who loved her family with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by 3 daughters, Carol May of Park Rapids, MN, Diane Bortle of Menahga, MN, Kathryn (Mark) Hoyhtya of Columbia Heights, MN; 2 sons, Dale Haataja of Menahga, MN Danny Haataja of Menahga, MN; 8 grandchildren: Terry Bortle, Randy (Heather) Bortle, Paula (Jerry) Eischens, Bonnie May, Jill (Jim) Hartig, Matthew Hoyhtya, Nathan Hoyhtya and Sarah Barrientos; 14 great grandchildren; one sister, Lois Swenson of Minneapolis; one brother, William (Helen) Baker of Remer, MN; 3 nieces, Joyce, Gail, Barb; and one nephew, Denny along with other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; twin brother, Robert in 1943; brother-in-law, John Swenson; and one great grandson, Jacob Hartig. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN with Reverend Bob Light officiating. Organist will be Shirley Anderson. The congregational hymn will be "Amazing Grace." Special music will be "How Great Thou Art" and "I Believe". Active casketbearers will be: Mark Hoyhtya, Mark Carlson, Dennis Swenson, Derek Carlson, Justin Carlson and Gary Haataja. Honorary casketbearers will be her grandchildren: Terry Bortle, Randy Bortle, Paula Eischens, Bonnie May, Jill Hartig, Matthew Hoyhtya, Nathan Hoyhtya and Sarah Barrientos. Interment will be made in the Balmi Cemetery near Wolf Lake, MN. A luncheon will be served following the service.