Marilyn Haarstad

Marilyn Haarstad, 92, of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, April 4, 2024 at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.

Marilyn "Mickey" Doris Halbakken was born March 9, 1932 to Ernest Milton Halbakken and Laurina Bertha Korth Halbakken in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

She grew up on the family farm near Rothsay where she attended parochial school (Vacation Bible School) for two months each summer at the North Friborg "Gopher" church just down from her family farm. At age 12, she drove tractor being paid one summer by going to the neighbors where she picked out a sow and piglets and sold them. Marilyn attended through grade eight at District #61 claiming she walked two miles to school uphill both ways. She finished her education in Fergus Falls graduating in 1950.

Marilyn worked for a couple of years at the Fergus Falls Credit Bureau until her marriage to Ordean Haarstad, July 1, 1951 at Hamar Lutheran Church in Rothsay. They lived briefly in Fergus Falls and Rothsay before moving to a farm near Carlisle in the spring of 1952. Marilyn helped on the farm cleaning milking equipment and in the field being one of the first women tractor drivers in the area. To supplement income, she and Ordean were drivers for neighborhood Carlisle school children. She gardened, had five apple trees and a large raspberry patch. Her raspberry jam and desserts were enjoyed by family. Family celebrated each time she made lefse or her famous cream puffs and enjoyed sewing and quilting. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who always put others before herself.

She and Ordean tilled the soil until they retired to Fergus Falls in 1997. Thirty plus years were spent wintering in Arizona where they enjoyed their friends, golfing, and playing cards.

She was a member of the Ladies Aide/WELCA at Hedemarken, Hamar, and New Life Lutheran Church, Homemaker's Club, and was a 4-H Leader.

Preceding Marilyn in death were her parents, Ernest and Laurina Halbakken; sisters, Esther (Mark) Rian, and Edith (Arthur) Fosse; brother, Ralph (Carol) Halbakken; niece, Cheryl (Halbakken) Hovland, and nephews, Bob Rian and Tom Fosse.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Michael O. (Linda) Haarstad of Rothsay and Kathi (David) Grewe of Alexandria; grandchildren, John (Angela) Haarstad, Rebekka (Derrick) Sievert, Paul (Jill) Haarstad, Brent (Megan) Grewe, and Laura (Eric) Loberg; thirteen great-grandchildren, Kaden, Hailey, and Isaac Haarstad, Jacob, Justin, and Kallie Sievert, Grady, Samuel, and Edward Haarstad, Dexter and Harper Grewe, Claire and Kate Loberg, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Knute Nelson Hospice.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls, with visitation one-hour prior to the service. Please check back for a recording of the service.

Clergy: Reverend Randy Whitehead

Interment: Hamar Cemetery, Rothsay, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com