Desanka R. Haen

1925 - 2022

Desanka “Desa” R. Haen, 97, of Rhinebeck, NY, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022 at the Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY. What a life! Desa was born on January 23, 1925 in Split, Croatia, and was the daughter of the late Gorgo and Olga (Plavsic) Rogic. When Desa was 16 her country was taken over by the Nazis,and she experienced the many horrors of World War II. Italian soldiers were sent to Yugoslavia to "keep us at bay", Desa established a friendly relationship with an Italian soldier Luigi Coletta.After the Italian dictator Mussolini was executed , Hitler sent the Nazis to capture the defecting Italian soldiers. Luigi frantically sought out Desa to help him escape.Living on the Adriatic Sea, she had a fisherman friend who rowed Luigi up the coast to safety and saved his life.Luigi was forever grateful and their friendship lasted over 70 years. In 1944 Desa joined the People's Liberation Army,partisans fighting against Nazis. She worked as a nurse in a hospital, and as a courier.WWII ended in 1945 and Desa was "forever grateful to the Americans who speeded up the end of the war and probably saved my life", By 1954 Desa had enough of Communist life in Yugoslavia and "escaped to London". Her friend's father worked in the Yugoslav embassy in London and Desa had permission to visit for a few weeks. Only having a one-way train ticket instead of the required round-trip ticket, Desa decided to take a chance on leaving her country." If they shot me at the border, I would only suffer for a few seconds, not the rest of my life in Yugoslavia." At the border to get on the next train, she flirted with the conductor and he either didn't notice her one-way ticket, or he did. He let her go and said " Congratulations you are free!"Desa lived in London for 10 years working 3 jobs to survive.Not knowing any English she learned by taking a few courses, reading books in the library,and reading the quotations in the museums. Eventually she worked in the office of the BBC and also became a tour guide in London. She met her future husband from Rhinebeck, Chet Haen,on one of those tours. Desa had told the owner of the tourcompany that she wanted to move to the USA, specifically New York, and try to set her up with some prospects on upcoming tours.Ironically Desa had read about the Hudson Valley in a National Geographic magazine, a few weeks before the recently widowed Chet was to be on her next tour. Chet was very surprised when Desa told him all about Rhinebeck. "It has the oldest hotel in America,the Hudson River is nearby, and the FDR estate is right down the road" Subsequently they hit it off, and corresponded long distance for awhile and decided to get married.Desa moved to Rhinebeck in 1964 and quickly fell in love with the Village and American life. She finally "felt safe here in the country that saved my life by being the force that helped to end WWII" She had the locals all abuzz with her beauty and her taste for fashionable clothes.This new foreign woman was certainly the talk of the town! Here in Rhinebeck she became a part of the community, helping her husband renovate and maintain the commercial buildings he owned in the village downtown area.Chet, a jeweler, owned the Haen Jewelry Shop,and was very much involved in the commercial businesses in the village.Desa supported Chet in his many volunteer endeavors.When Chet passed in 1975, Desa kept on his tradition by monetarily supporting the local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club ,Lions Club,American Legion,Historical Societies, Northern Dutchess Hospital, the Rhinebeck Fire Department,and the Rhinebeck Rescue Department. Ouietly she also gave money to local individuals when they needed money to pay some bills.She was a fair landlord who was concerned about helping her tenants to succeed in business. Imagine someone being happy to pay school and property taxes! That was Desa, " The money I make is not meant to stay with me.I have to pass it along as I am so grateful to make this money in America." American history also fascinated her.She visited the historical sights in Gettysburg, Washington,DC, Philadelphia, New York, and the FDR Estate-Library many times. She also looked forward to the Dutchess County Fair with its country atmosphere. She won many ribbons in the fruit and vegetable competitions. She also volunteered in nursing homes, and helped in fundraising for many charities.Desanka “Desa” Haen became a true Rhinebeckian and contributed greatly to the success of what Rhinebeck is today. God Bless Desanka Haen and God Bless the United States of America! Rest in Peace Desa. Desa is survived by a niece, Ines Kljakovic Misovic of Belgrade, Serbia; a nephew, Miljen Kljakovic of Belgrade, Serbia; along with her close friends and caretakers for the past 12 years- Luciana & Howie Traudt. Extended family, friends, and colleagues also survive. In addition to her husband, and parents; a brother, Vojmir Kljakovic; and a nephew, Drazen Kljakovic predeceased her. A graveside service will take place at Rhinebeck Cemetery on Friday, July 1, 2022 at 10:00 am. Fr. Jeffrey Maurer will officiate.____________. Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes 91 E. Market St., Rhinebeck, NY. For directions, or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.Burnett-White.com. https://www.lastingmemories.com/desanka-r-haen