Lynn Joanne Haakenson

Lynn Haakenson, age 81, of Osage, died Sunday, May 1, 2022, at her home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in Osage with Pastor Dixie Laube officiating. A private family burial will be at Osage Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5;00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m. at Champion Funeral Home in Osage. Lynn was born in Farmersburg, Iowa on April 28, 1941, to Herbert and Margarete (Barrows) Thoresen. During her school years she enjoyed Girl Scouts, basketball, learning to play the piano and organ, helping at her father’s hardware store, and developed a love of reading. She graduated from high school in 1958. Lynn then attended Coe College and the University of Iowa, graduating in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts Education degree. She moved to Osage later that summer to start her first teaching job as a high school literature teacher, where she remained until she retired in 2000. Soon after arriving in Osage, she was introduced to the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Haakenson. They married July 11, 1964 at the Methodist Church in Monona, Iowa with family and lifelong friends Pam (Waller) Franzen and Tom Cox at their sides. After a honeymoon road trip in the Midwest, they made their first home on Ash Street in Osage. They later welcomed two children into their lives, Scott in 1970 and Julie in 1975. Both Lynn and Dick were only children, so they developed a vast network of friends with whom they enjoyed countless rounds of golf, bridge, concerts, trips, annual get togethers and many more activities. Lynn was an active member in community, school and church affairs. She served on the Osage Library Board, Mitchell County Concert Association Board, Osage Food Bank and the Osage Education Foundation. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she was active as the historian, organist, church circle, and was very pleased when she participated in the purchase of a new organ. Lynn joined the P.E.O. Sisterhood in 1977, where she nurtured a close relationship with her fellow sisters, and participated in the initiation when daughter Julie and granddaughters Miranda and Madison joined. Although not an athlete, Dick introduced Lynn to golf early in their marriage, which became one of their favorite pastimes together. She was a long-time member of Sunny Brae Country Club and scored two holes in ones, enjoyed ladies’ day on a regular basis, updated the scrapbook, and volunteered in many other activities. She also played bridge, bowling with the ladies in her later years, and of course book club. Lynn enjoyed the Iowa Hawkeyes, especially football and basketball. Lynn’s favorite book was To Kill a Mockingbird. She loved to hear from past students about their successes, learning the impact she had made in their lives and kept up with many by email, Facebook and visits. In 2018 she attended a 50th Class Reunion for the Class of 1968, which brought so much enjoyment. She continued to read countless books until her passing. Lynn will forever be remembered as a devoted and loving wife, a caring and compassionate mother, a trusted and cherished friend, a memorable and passionate educator, and a thoughtful and supportive grandmother. Lynn was most proud of her five grandchildren, following all of their activities and adventures and enjoying visits for birthdays, Christmas and simple long weekends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and parents. Lynn is survived by her son Scott (Lara) Haakenson and their children Sydney and Avery of Carroll, IA; her daughter Julie (Spencer) Potter of Osage, IA and their children Miranda of Gilbert, AZ, Madison (Rusty) of Colfax, IA and Chase of Osage, as well as cousins and a host of friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lynn Haakenson Scholarship Fund. Schroeder Funeral Homes, Osage, 641-732-3706