Annette (Tuorila) Haedtke

Annette is preceded in death by her loving husband Lorren Haedtke, Parents Eino & Hazel Tuorila; siblings, Arlene, Raymond, Marvin, and Michael; and a brother in law Rolly Savela.

She is survived by her loving children: Sandy (Gary) Nygren, Scott (Karen) Haedtke, Brenda (Kelly) Brannick; Grandkids: Nicholas “Nick” (Megan) Cotone-Nygren, Kassie (David) and Matthew “Matt” Haedtke, and Sydney Brannick; Great Grandchild Rhea Cotone-Nygren; and siblings: Kenny (Carol), Shirley, Charlie, Roger (Vicki), Carole (Deb); and sisters-in-law: Julie and Pat.

Annette (and referred to by some as Annie) was born on the family farm in Blowers Township, Ottertail County on September 4th, 1940. With the traditional farming family in the works, she was the 6th of 10 kids including 3 sisters and 6 brothers. Like others in the family they experienced the heartache of loss early in life with the passing of baby Arlene shortly after birth. Annette began her schooling at the now historic Sebeka Single Room School House and ultimately graduating from Sebeka High School in 1958. During her High School Years, she met a High School rebel named Lorren Haedtke (I’m sure that made her dad and mom a bit nervous). They began their married life together on September 26th, 1959. After reading the Review Messenger story of the wedding and seeing pictures they were a sharp dressed set of newlyweds.

Shortly after their wedding, they relocated to the Twin Cities and began their new chapter that started quickly with the birth of their first of three children Sandra Jo. It was only a few years later and the need to acquire a house became important when learning of her 2nd pregnancy, and along came the trouble maker Scott. This led the Haedtke family to Blaine Minnesota where she lived a full and complete life. In 1967 Brenda joined the Haedtke clan on a very cold and snowy January day. Mom made sure that dad kept the driveway clean so when the time came, they could make it out. The snow banks were higher than the vehicles.

The Haedtke family like many others in those days began the two-income household once Brenda was of kindergarten age. Mom began her banking career in 1973 and shortly thereafter found herself working for Northwestern National Bank, later Norwest, now known as Wells Fargo. She quickly became a key figure in the banking organization earning various outstanding achievement awards leading to many trips for her and Dad. She developed many work friendships several of which she stayed in touch with over the years. Mom Retired from Wells Fargo in September of 2000. Us kids were admittedly warned that under no circumstances would we be throwing a retirement party for her. Well as many of you know mom was a soft-spoken lady. When she warned us, we were not quite used to her being as direct as she was and out of fear complied with her wishes. After digging through some pictures, we found a whole series of work party retirement pictures. Just goes to show us that we are learning new things about Mom. Hind sight being 20/20 I am certain that Dad already knew this. Mom’s well-known passion for Elvis is represented in the memorabilia that has occupied the house for many years. Whenever Elvis was on TV growing up, she had control and Dad, well he was smart and let her have control. So, to all of our aunts and uncles, our cousins will find out about these little hidden treasures. During her early employment years, she took on a second job at Lakeside Industries in Edina, Minnesota. That’s a story to be shared by her accomplice and sister Carole Jean.

I know that we speak for so many when we reflect back on our fond memories of her life of family, friends, and faith. There was not a month that went by that we were not making a trip to the Tuorila Family Farm, The Savela family in Parkville, The Tuorila Family in Silver Bay, Great Aunt and Uncles, and let us not forget the trips to the Haedtke clan in Chicago. If there wasn’t a trip out of town planned for family visits, we were having fun going to annual birthday parties with the Mellesmoen and Hoffman families, Lee and Mary Lou’s, Marvin and Nancy’s, all of Dad’s family including those special trips to Ruby and Bill’s and Norman and Elaine’s, the 4th of July parades in Blaine and the list goes on. Each year Mom and Dad went through the now known huge effort for the annual family vacations to Winnie and Northland Lodge, camping trips in tents changing to cabins when Mom said enough was enough, and our combined camping trip with Lyle’s Chicago Clan at Plug Hat Point on Winnie. Eventually, after they were able to shake us kids loose, they went on trips to the West and East Coasts, Caribbean, Disney World, Branson, and Canada.

After Mom retired and before her COPD kicked into high gear, she was able to start another chapter that included Car Trips with various families with several to Maine for visits with sister Carole Jean and Deb, bus trips with her dear sister Shirley, plane trips to Texas and Florida, Branson trips and cruise ships. Many of these trips were in the company of the special bond formed with the Tracy family. Some of her favorite trips are the ones that included her Kids and Grandkids including the Florida Keys and Jamaica with Brenda, Kelly, and Sydney and 40 plus years to Northland Lodge on Lake Winnie. This new Retirement era also led to the origination of Annette’s Bed & Breakfast. Mom, like in every facet of her life was extremely organized and if you did not enter your date and stay in the log book, she did it for you after you left. What a pleasure to see all of the family and friends that visited and shared in bringing joy to her life.

We cannot forget the Family Gatherings including family reunions with the Tuorila family in northern MN, her Brother Roger and wife in Sebeka, and his Son and wife in Big Lake. Like many others in our state the MN Twins held a special spot with Mom. She rarely missed a game and on many occasions brother Charlie and his family would catch a game with mom at the house. If there was something going on Mom like all of our Aunts and Uncles, led the way and was there including the Family reunions, Weddings, Graduations, Birthday parties, showers, and family and friend funerals. Even after her COPD was in the advanced stages, she still made sure to make as many family functions as possible including my Son Matt’s small graduation gathering this July. When the rare occasion came around that she could not attend one it was tough.

Mom’s Faith in God was the source to her strength, compassion, and so many other traits. Her membership at Peace Lutheran was and will always be a special part. Her relationship with Pastor Roger who was also our backyard neighbor was very close. Baptism of two grandkids and getting to the house after she found Dad are only a few of the occasions that Pastor Roger supported our family, may he RIP. She had formed a similar relationship with Pastor Val who in recent years has given Mom communion at home when she could no longer navigate the travel to church. Even in the waning days while Mom was at Interlude, she requested the Chaplain to come and read her some scripture from her Portals of Prayers Books. When the Chaplain started reading, he had obviously heard her wrong and started reading a story about Matthew McConaughey out of the People Magazine. Well you know Mom and my guess is she corrected him. Her faith walked the walk. As we pass through Annette’s Bed & Breakfast you cannot find a wall, refrigerator side, a shelf that does not have an inspiration quote, prayer, or scripture. A dear friend summed it up briefly “I never met a Finer woman.” I will add “or better Mother and Friend.”

A Private family service will be held 11 AM Thursday November 19, 2020 at Peace Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids which will be live streamed by the church. Online condolences are appreciated and may be submitted on the funeral home website. Sandy, Scott, Brenda and their families extend deepest appreciation and thanks to all for sharing your friendship and love with their mother, May she Rest in Peace. Memorials appreciated to Peace Lutheran Church of Coon Rapids.