JoAnn Marilyn (Martin) Haapala

Chatham / Shelter Bay

JoAnn M. Haapala, age 81, of Chatham and formerly of Shelter Bay, died unexpectedly on Thursday morning, December 21, 2017 in Chatham.   She was born on November 16, 1936 in Marquette Michigan to John and Bertha (Koskela) Martin.  JoAnn graduated from Eben High School’s Class of 1955.  She worked for a short time in Milwaukee and on November 16, 1957, JoAnn married Kenneth Haapala.  They purchased Pantti’s Store in Rumely in 1959 and they owned and operated Haapala’s Store from 1959 to 1992.  After retirement, they moved to Shelter Bay where JoAnn enjoyed fishing on Lake Superior, flower gardening, and spending time with her grandsons.  She was a member of Sion Lutheran Church and enjoyed being part of the Sion Ladies Quilters on Tuesday mornings.

JoAnn is survived by her husband of over sixty years – Kenneth Haapala; their daughters – Cindy (Gary) Kallio and Lynn Ruska; two grandsons – Daniel (Melissa LaPointe) Kallio and Eric Ruska; and many cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents John and Bertha Martin, in-laws Niel and Lillian Haapala, and son-in-law Brian Ruska.

Services will be held at the Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham on Friday, January 5, 2017.  Visiting time with family and friends will be from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.  Pastor Paul Kelto will conduct JoAnn’s memorial service at 12:00 p.m.   Interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in 2018.

Memorials may be directed in Sion Lutheran Church in JoAnn’s name.