Rose Mary Haataja, 92, L’Anse
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Rose Mary Haataja, age 92 of L’Anse, MI passed away at Bayside Village, L’Anse on
Thursday, February 19, 2026 with her loving family by her side
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,
- 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 Cindy Haataja of L’Anse, grandchildren
Leslie (Megan) Haataja, Corey Haataja, Cody (Ashlyn) Haataja, Amanda (Arron)
Bloxton-Kippola, Steve Irwin, Jennie (Andy) Clouphier, and Sean Spruce, great
grandchildren Max, Enzo, Kian, Iris, Kia, Jackson, Kyla, Alex “Bodie”, Teddy, and
Hunter, 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, Elenor 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.
