Haakenson, Paul Benjamin

Paul Benjamin Haakenson, 85, Evansville, WI, passed away peacefully after recent health challenges at Evansville Manor on Monday, October 28, 2024.  He was surrounded with love and caring messages from family and friends in the weeks and days before his passing.

Paul, the oldest of three children, was born to Benjamin and Olga (Aslakson) Haakenson in Evansville, Wisconsin, on December 15, 1938.  He was a lifelong resident of Evansville, graduating from Evansville High School in 1956 where he played trumpet and participated in 4-H, FFA, league bowling, and softball.  These passions for music, agriculture, and sports continued well into his adult life.  

In October, 1973, Paul married his lifetime love, Donna Marie (Gardner) Haakenson who preceded him in death in March, 2019.  Paul and Donna spent their married life making beautiful music, with Donna having an over 50-year career in music education, and Paul, an accomplished musician, playing organ and piano at their church since the 1960s. Together they owned and operated a dairy farm in the rolling hills of rural Evansville where they raised their two children. Paul was a hard-working and dedicated farmer for decades. He forever enjoyed the seasons of planting, growth, and harvest.    

Paul’s values of service to others, leadership and building community were evident throughout his life. Paul was a lifelong member and servant at Cooksville Lutheran Church in Evansville, WI, and graduated from the ELCA Lutheran Lay School of Ministry, empowering him to share his faith with others.  He served on the Cooksville Lutheran Church Council, sang in the Edvard Grieg Chorus, the Evansville Ecumenical Choir, and the Cooksville Lutheran Church Choir, and shared his gift of playing piano throughout Evansville and Stoughton until 2023. 

Paul took great pride in his Norwegian heritage and traditions, passing down beloved memories and stories from his ancestors.  Paul was an avid reader and enjoyed learning about Norwegian and Wisconsin history, sports teams and coaches, agriculture, and the Christian faith. 

When his farming career ended, Paul enjoyed employment at Skaalen Retirement Home in Stoughton, WI.  He loved connecting and socializing with people. He also volunteered at Livsreis in Stoughton, WI to share his love of Norwegian culture. As a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as the Wisconsin Badgers and Packers, Paul loved wearing his team apparel and watching games.  For decades, he continued to participate in bowling leagues with classmates and friends, a sport he thoroughly enjoyed.  In recent years, Paul enjoyed every opportunity to watch his grandchildren and cousins play sports and perform in school concerts and recitals.  And he rarely missed weekly gatherings for coffee with friends to talk about local news, sports and the weather. 

Paul’s gentle spirit, humor, robust laugh and kind heart will be dearly missed by all who knew him.  

Paul is survived by his children Peter (Kelly) Haakenson (Dodgeville, WI), Kristin (Troy) Klarkowski (Scottsdale, AZ), grandchildren Benjamin, Jacob, and Natalie Haakenson, Annaliese and Everett Klarkowski, sister Kathryn (Haakenson) Gerstenkorn (Portage, WI), sister-in-law Polly (James) Garbe (Stevens Point, WI), brother-in-law William (Barb) Gardner (Wisconsin Rapids, WI) and several cousins, nieces and nephews.  Along with his wife, Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his wife’s parents William and Pearl (Radakovich) Gardner, his brother Peter Olav Haakenson, his brother-in-law Russell Gerstenkorn, and his beloved grandson Miles Haakenson.  

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 8th, 2024, from 4-7:00 p.m. at Ward-Hurtley Funeral Home in Evansville, WI and on Saturday, November 9th, 2024 from 10-11:00 a.m. prior to the Memorial Service at Cooksville Lutheran Church. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 9th at 11:00 a.m. at Cooksville Lutheran Church with luncheon to follow. Ward-Hurtley Funeral Home, Evansville is assisting the family. For online condolences please visit www.wardhurtley.com