Public Gathering of Family and Friends will be Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 10 to Noon at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairfax.

Private Family Memorial Service will be Saturday, February 18, 2023, 1 p.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairfax with Pastor Jesse DeDeyne officiating. Interment will be at a later date in the church cemetery.

Jeffrey “Jeff” Lynn Haala was born on April 1, 1956, in Sleepy Eye, to Wendelin and MaryLou (Petersen) Haala. He grew up in Gibbon, then attended Hutchinson Vo-tech, and later joined the Army Reserves (Winthrop) and was honorably discharged after 10 years of service.

In 1979, he married his ‘sweetheart’ Kerry Bethke and bought their dream house where Kerry still resides.

Jeff worked as a truck driver for numerous trucking companies. He hauled just about everything under the sun. He devoted his life to supporting his family and was lovingly referred to as “Papa Jeff” by many. He was known for his traumatic tube rides at their lake cabin and his great story telling abilities. He was very active in his community volunteering for the Fairfax Depot Association and spent countless hours working in the Depot museum, along with restoring the old jail and pump-house back to their original states. He also purchased the 1929 fire truck from the city and spent hundreds of hours restoring it back to its original state and drove it in many parades.

When he wasn’t working at the Depot, Jeff loved spending time at the cabin, ice fishing, or woodworking in his shop. He also enjoyed driving his golf cart around town with his partner in crime Ollie whom he lovingly and not-so-lovingly referred to as “Pooch”.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Kerry Haala of Fairfax; son, Tanar (Heather) Haala of Fairfax; daughter, Karna (Justin) Stransky of Paynseville; grandchildren, Brittany (Andrew) Doll, Ty (Bridget) Haala, Aedyn Neudecker; great-grandchildren, Jaxxyn, Taysom, and Charlee; mother, MaryLou Haala; siblings, Mike, Nancy, and Julie; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Wendelin Haala; and mother-in-law, Florence Bethke.

Arrangements by Hauser-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Fairfax, Minnesota. Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com

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