Donald John Haapoja

Donald John Haapoja was born on Sept. 23, 1947, in Aitkin to John and Elma Haapoja of Tamarack, MN. He spent a wonderful life on the farm. He attended McGregor schools and graduated in 1965. In 1968 he graduated from Brainerd Vocational School where he met Shirley Bloom, the love of his life. He went on to work for the University of MN for 50 years before retiring in 2018. He and Shirley married on September 27, 1969, in Little Falls, MN. Don loved gardening, fishing, and attending various auctions. He enjoyed working on crosswords and jigsaw puzzles with his wife Shirley. He loved going on small trips and being with family. He was a man of few words, but his presence was larger than life.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Shirley, sons Matthew (Carla), Michael (Kristen), David (Andrea), Brian (Katie), grandchildren Alicia, Michael Jr. (Sadie), Ava, Emmalynn, Logan, and Brooklynn, great-grand children Alina and Arianna, sister-in-law Ellen Ukura, and nephew Mark
Preceded in death by his parents John and Elma, brothers Harry and Russell, and daughter-in-law Lisa.
The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Meadows on Fairview TCU for the great care and compassion provided to Don and family during his last few months. Thanks to the Doctors and Nurses at FV Southdale and UMMC and especially to his long-standing kidney specialist.