Elaine Marie Haala

Elaine Marie Haala, 91, of Sleepy Eye was called home on November 24th, 2023. God came to her and said, Elaine your work on earth is done. The angels arrived to lead her through the gates of heaven where the love of her life “Larry” was waiting with open arms. Visitation will be on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel with Parish Prayers at 3:45 pm. Visitation will continue on Friday from 9:30 am until 10:30 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church-North Entrance in Sleepy Eye. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye on Friday, December 1, 2023, at 10:30 am and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye. The clergy will be Fr. Tanner Thooft. Interment will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Elaine was born on November 17th, 1932, at home on the farm in Comfrey, Minnesota to Edmund and Martha (Schroepfer) Windschitl. She was married on April 17th, 1950, to Larry Haala at the Church of Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth, Minnesota. Elaine and Larry were blessed with 5 children and raised them on the family farm in Stark township.

She was a farmer’s wife which came with many titles: Wife, Mother, Homemaker, Fieldworker and Cook. She loved cooking for her family especially sauerkraut and dumplings and baked the best smear kuchen.

Elaine was a member of the Christian Mothers and the Red Hat Ladies. Decorating was a true passion of hers and was proud to help transform St. Mary’s Church for the holidays. She had a deep connection to the nuns of Schoenstatt on the Lake and helped with many events there.

She worked as a CNA for many years at Divine Providence and the Sleepy Eye Hospital. She enjoyed quilting and sewing, gardening, music and singing, dancing to polka music, traveling, and fishing trips with friends. Most importantly she loved her children, and grandchildren. She looked forward to hosting family gatherings with Christmas being her favorite. She even taught a few grandkids how to drive a car on the country roads. Elaine and Larry started and ran “Haala Hobby Farm” a craft and woodworking business for many years.

She was the sunshine, storm, and rainbow and the ultimate story teller. Her love for her family ran deep and on and on forever. She would tell it like it is and move right on. Her hugs were meltable. She was kind, sweet, funny, and full of love. She was talented and did most things with a twinkle and a little attitude. Above all Elaine was devoted to her family, faith, St. Mary’s Church and Schoenstatt on the Lake.

Surviving family members are her children: Sandy Langbehn (Jerry Hortsch) Sauk Rapids, Chuck Haala (Lorrie) Mankato, JoAnn Woessner (Mark) Edina, Jon Haala (Sue) Manitowoc, WI; Grandchildren: Kirk Langbehn (Gretchen), Jason Langbehn (Tammy), Mandy Storlien (Mike), Jeff Haala (Kim), Shawn Haala (Joana), Angela Guse (Shawn), JoDee Hunter (Michael), Jennifer Blesi (Ryan), Jeremy Haala (Gina); Great Grandchildren: John, Alicia, Shirley, Ian Langbehn, Brittney Hafermann (Rob), Madelyn Langbehn, Marlo, Myra Storlien, Arya, Paxton Haala, Cecilia Haala, Beck, Kai, Ozi, Vonn Guse, Davion Sterner, Em Jae, Leo Hunter, Crosby, Cameron Blesi, Jensen, Lucy Haala; Great Great Grandchildren: Olivia Haferman; Sister: Sally (Windshitl) Holm; and Sister-in-Law: Lillian (Haala) Stimpert.

She is reunited with: Husband Larry and daughter Mary Beth Haala; Parents: Edmund and Martha (Schroepfer) Windschitl; Brothers: Edwin and Lenus Windschitl; Sisters: Irene (Windschitl) Sprenger, Adella (Windschitl) Schueneman, Margaret (Windschitl) Fischer; Grandson: Ryan Haala; Great Granddaughter: Jaeda Ann Guse; and Son-in-Law: John Langbehn.

Elaine will be greatly missed, but never forgotten!