Linda J.

(Slauson) Haakenson

Linda J. Haakenson, 77, of Lake Mills Wi., passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024, at home with family by her side as a result of pancreatic cancer.

Linda was born July 23, 1946, at Janesville Memorial Hospital, the eldest child of Robert P. and Jean (Morgan) Slauson of Milton, Wisconsin.

She was educated in Milton schools, was active in band and choir during High School years and had the privilege of marching in the JFK inauguration parade in Washington, DC.

Linda attended college at UW Whitewater and majored in Primary Education.  She graduated in 1968 and soon after married William D. Haakenson, also of Milton.  They established residence in Lombard, Illinois.  Linda taught 4th grade at the Queen Bee Elementary School for 2 ½ years before the birth of her first child.  She spent several years at home caring for her two children until the youngest was of school age, then she became a Library Assistant for School District 44, a position she held until her retirement in 1998.

The importance of Rock Lake and Lake Mills in Linda's life cannot be overstated.  Her maternal grandparents kept a small trailer on Woodland Beach which allowed her first visit to Rock Lake when one week old.  This was followed by being at the lake during summer weekends and vacations throughout her growing years.  Marriage and children did not decrease her desire to be at the lake, and she and Bill bought a cottage at the south side of the lake in 1980, which was replaced with a new building in 1995 that served as their retirement home.

Linda is survived by her husband Bill, son, Eric (Aimee) of Cary Illinois, daughter, Sarah of Schaumburg Illinois, grandchildren Anna & Lauren (Twins), Ben, and Molly; sister-in-law, Sue Slauson; other relatives and friends.

Linda was preceded in death by her father, mother, and her brother, Paul R. Slauson of Lake Mills.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 326 Pine St., Lake Mills Wi., with luncheon to follow.

Friends may call after 3:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church until the time of service.

Private Family Burial will be held at Cooksville Cemetery at a later date.

If desired, memorials would be appreciated to the American Cancer Society.

www.claussenfuneralhome.com