Rose Mary Haataja

She was born in L’Anse on October 1, 1933, the daughter of the late Samuel and Margaret (Kipsoden) Lightfoot Spruce. Rose Mary graduated from L’Anse High School in 1952. She married Alexander A. “Alex” Haataja in Baraga on May 21, 1955. He preceded her in death on December 14, 2008. Rose Mary been employed in various occupations, including Sear’s and Robuck in Chicago, IL, KBITC Wigwam, making leather goods, KBIC Housing as Housing Director, Home School coordinator at the L’Anse Area Schools for 25 years, retiring in 1994, and was a Big Bucks Bingo worker.

Rose Mary was a member of Zeba Methodist Church, and Forest Lutheran Church in Silver Springs, FL, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and was a Tribal Council member from 1962-1967, 1968-1973, 1979-1989, and 1991-1999 and the Ojibwa Senior Citizens. She enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable gardens, playing bingo, bowling, playing softball on the “Bear Walkers” and “Haataja Hotshots” teams and had also enjoyed singing in the Choir at the Lutheran Church. Rose Mary was also a 40-year breast cancer survivor!

Rose Mary is survived by her loving children, William A. “Sonny” Haataja, Randy R. (Lynn) Haataja, Steven S. Haataja, Darren D Haataja all of L’Anse and Laurie A. (Mark) Irwin of Baraga, daughter-in-law Cindi Haataja of L’Anse, grandchildren Leslie (Megan) Haataja, Corey Haataja, Cody Haataja, Amanda (Aaron) Bloxton-Kippola, Steve Irwin, Jennie (Andy) Clouthier, and Sean Spruce, great grandchildren Max, Enzo, Kian, Iris, Kia, Jackson, Kyla, Alex, Bodie, Teddy, Gunner, Adam, Miah, and Nala, and brother Ronald (Betty) Spruce of Aura. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Leslie “Les” in 2017, brothers Russell, William, Robert, Kenneth, Samuel Jr., infant brother Stephen, sisters Evelyn Holapaa, Eleanor Seppanen, Barbara Mantila, and infant sister Patricia, and niece Terry Lee Haataja.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse with Pastor John Henry officiating. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service. Immediately following the services, the family invites friends to join them for luncheon and fellowship at the Zeba Hall, Zeba, MI.

 

Interment will take place in the Pinery Cemetery. Rose Mary’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.reidfuneralservicechapel.com

The Reid Funeral service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.