Inez Lenore Haukoos of Lakeville, MN, age 87 died peacefully on Friday, March 8. A memorial visitation will be held, Friday, March 15 from 10:00-11:00 at Bayview Funeral Home in Albert Lea with a private family service to follow.

Inez Haukoos

Inez was born December 8, 1936, to Leroy and Ida Rasmussen in Alden, MN. She grew up in Alden and was named the first Freeborn County Dairy Princess in 1954. She graduated from Alden high school in 1954 and Mankato State with degrees in Art and Elementary Education. She met Dennis when they were teenagers, and they were married on Palm Sunday in 1958. They moved to Albert Lea and raised their three children, Lori, Peter and Kari. Inez was an elementary teacher for over 30 years in Hayward and Albert Lea, most of the years teaching second grade. She especially enjoyed teaching reading and watching the success of her students as they moved on in school. She believed that all children had something special about them and she would look for that in every one of her students. Once, an administrator commented on how quiet her classroom was and she said, “that’s because we are busy learning!” Summers were spent at the family cabin on St. Olaf Lake and taking family vacations. After her retirement, she and Dennis moved to Lakeville, MN to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They loved their home on the lake and enjoyed watching wildlife and gardening for almost 30 years.

Inez was active in Delta Kappa Gamma and the Norsota Lodge of the Sons of Norway. She enjoyed her bible study group at Christiana Lutheran Church in Lakeville and was also on the quilting team. They enjoyed going to all the grandchildren’s activities and cherished having family together during the holidays. Inez was a talented seamstress. Baptismal outfits, Halloween costumes, costumes for church musicals, she could make them all, often without a pattern. Her home was filled with homemade quilts, window treatments and pillows. She had a knack for decorating and could change a room in minutes, placing things exactly where they should be.

Inez was proud of her Scandinavian heritage. She loved to visit the Swedish Institute, Norway House and Mindekirken, the Norwegian Lutheran Church. For special occasions, she baked and decorated a Kransekaka. The grandchildren said she made the best Scandinavian meatballs. At Christmastime, she made rice pudding, sweet soup, rommegrot, julekage and lefse, a tradition that she has passed on to her children and grandchildren. Inez and Dennis enjoyed traveling in retirement, going to Norway, Germany and other parts of Europe. The greatest loves of her life were Dennis, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Inez is survived by her husband of 65 years, Dennis, son Peter (Pam) Haukoos, daughter Kari (Gerald) Anderson, grandchildren Kirsten (Brady) Schultz, Anders Haukoos, Tor (Kinsie) Anderson, Kaia Anderson (Pete Nordgren) and Gunnar Anderson; 5 great-grandchildren: Breckyn, Brogan and Brenley Schultz and Decker and Braylee Anderson. Sister Mickey (Rick) Hammel, brother John (Rosie) Rasmussen and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by daughters, Lori Ann and Kari Lynn, sisters Verliss (Bill) Wittmer and Mary Jensen and niece, Sarah Haukoos.