Laura Haarstick

Laura Haarstick, 86, of rural Erhard, Minnesota, died Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Laura Drechsel was born December 16, 1920, to Otto and Bessie (Grant) Drechsel in Friberg Township, Minnesota. She was baptized at her grandmother’s home and confirmed at Tonseth Lutheran Church. Laura attended school District #229 at Sproul Lake, Minnesota, and then worked several jobs as housekeeper in the area. On December 27th, 1942, Laura was united in marriage to Gordon Haarstick, traveling by train to meet him at Baltimore Maryland where he was stationed. She went with him to Washington, Oregon, Florida and Virginia, before coming home to wait for him when he went overseas during WWII. Laura and Gordy owned and operated a dairy farm in Friberg Township. She planted a big vegetable garden every year, and loved to sew and quilt. She was very active in her church, attending every Sunday for service, sang in the church choir and participated in ladies aid and circles. Most important to Laura was her family. She is preceded in death by her husband, daughter, Charyl; brothers, Alfred Drechsel and Don Drechsel; and son-in-law, Eldon Ronnei. She is survived by her children, Elaine Ronnei, St. Cloud, MN: Sue Haarstick and Lynn Haarstick, Butte, MT; Joy Haarstick and Laird Haarstick, rural Erhard, MN; brothers, Wilfred (Dorothy) Drechsel, Big Lake MN; James(Carol) Drechsel; Lowell(Geneva) Drechsel; and sister-in law, Carol Drechsel, all of rural Erhard, MN; grandchildren Johanna (Gerardo) DeAvilla, Minneapolis, MN; Andrew (Elena) Ronnei, St Cloud, MN; Nicole (Tom) Russell and Derek (Shiloh) Hendrickson, all of Butte, MT, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Parkinsons Research – PO Box 4777 – New York, NY 10163. Funeral Services: Saturday, January 6, 2007, at 2 PM, at Tonseth Lutheran Church, Erhard, Minnesota. Visitation: One hour before the service at the church. Burial: Tonseth Lutheran Cemetery, Erhard, Minnesota.