Born: 20 Aug 1914, Moe twp, Douglas Co, MN
Married: 24 Jun 1950, Rothsay, MN
Died: 11 Nov 1988, Holmes City twp, Douglas Co, MN
Buried: Trysil-Bethesda cemetery, Holmes City twp, MN
Spouse: Sylvia Nygaard
Parents: Matt Haabala
Christine Salmey
Newspaper Obituary: November 18, 1988
Ralph Haabala
Ralph Haabala was born in Moe Township, Douglas County, Minnesota, on August 20, 1914, the son of Matt and Christine (Salmey) Haabala. He attended School District No. 5 and grew to manhood in Moe Township. Ralph worked in the Moe Township area before entering the United States Army during World War II where he served under General George Patton. Following his discharge he returned to Farwell where he was a blacksmith and on June 24, 1950, Ralph was united in marriage to Sylvia Nygaard in Rothsay. He also worked at Douglas Machine from where he retired in 1979. Since retirement he became active with the Douglas County Ditch Maintenance. Ralph had been baptized and confirmed at the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church, was presently a member of the Oscar Lake Lutheran Church where he had served on the Church Board, was Chairman of the Trysil Cemetery Board, and had also served on the School District No 461 Board. He was also a member of the Kensington American Legion Post. He died on Friday, November 11, 1988, at his home at the age of 74 years.
Ralph is survived by wife: Sylvia Haabala of Farwell; sons: Phillip and wife Patricia Haabala of Alexandria; Wayne and wife Cindy Haabala of Farwell; Adrian and wife Jean Haabala of South Haven; Ronald and wife Linda Haabala of Mounds View; daughters: Karen and husband Kevin Johnson of Alexandria; Susan Haabala of St Anthony; brothers: Alex Haabala of Brandon; Ted Haabala of Brandon; Carl Haabala of Kensington; half-brother: August Salmey of Evansville; sister: Martha Haabala of Minneapolis; grandchildren: Stacy, Jonathon, Kristen, Holly, Rachel and Chad. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, son Dale, two brothers, five half-brothers and sisters.
Funeral services were Tuesday, November 15, 1988, 10:30 am at Calvary Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Minnesota, with Reverend Julie Wrubbel-Lange officiating. Interment was in Trysil Cemetery, Holmes City, Minnesota.
Pallbearers were Clifford Haabala, Clarence Haabala, Robert Haabala, Darwin Nygaard, Brian Berg, and Kevin Berg.
Organist was Becky Worley and soloist JoAnn Olson.
Military Honors were by American Legion Post No. 268, Kensington, Minnesota.
Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.