August 1, 2024 Sedar Bay

John “Jack” Haataja, 88, a resident of Sedar Bay passed away on Thursday August 1, 2024 at Gardenview Assisted Living in Calumet where he had been a resident for the past two years.

He was born on July 7, 1936, in Swedetown, a son of the late John and Celia (Kemppainen) Haataja.

Jack graduated from Calumet High School with the class of 1955.

He worked for Calumet & Hecla Mining Company as a trammer and mine surveyor, for MDOT as a road surveyor and for Universal Oil Products and its successor companies as a land surveyor. He also ran his own land surveying and real estate development business.

Jack was united in marriage to Judith Torola on November 30, 1957 and she preceded him in death on April 2, 2021.

He was a member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet.

Also preceding him in death were his parents, his daughter Ruth, his great grand daughter Cora Haataja and a brother Paul Haataja.

Surviving are: Children: Mary Kay (Tim) Anderson of Sedar Bay, Joann (Dave) Taivalkoski of Sedar Bay, Roger (Trudi) Haataja of Sedar Bay, Ronald Haataja of Boston Location, Laura (Leonard) Hill of Traprock Valley and Kathleen (Joseph) Helppi of Salo and daughter-in-law Cynthia Macgowan of Virginia.

48 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren.

Brother Bruce (Ann) Haataja of Traprock Valley, brother-in-laws Robert Torola of Sedar Bay and Allan (Maria) Torola of Zion, IL and sister-in-laws Lana Heinonen of Laurium and Kathy Pieti of Cokato, Mn as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held in the First Apostolic Lutheran Church on Tuesday August 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Mark Halonen to officiate. Friends may call at the church from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM.

Burial will be in the Waasa Cemetery.

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences can be left for the family at ericksoncrowleypeterson.com