Travis O. Haakenson passed away in his sleep on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014.  He was 87 years old.

Travis Haakenson was born on July 12, 1927 to Olaf and Berthilda (Thoreson) in Montevideo, Minnesota. Travis graduated high school from Madison, MN. After graduation, he enlisted to serve in the United States Navy.  He served for two years until his honorable discharge. After the military, Travis went to Brookings, South Dakota to obtain a college degree in Civil Engineering.

Travis was united in marriage to Lila (Montanye) on May 14, 1972, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. To this union, three children were born.  The couple called Lyle, MN there home.

In 1971, Travis was employed with Jones and Haugh, in Albert Lea. He then began working for Mower County in the sanitation department, and later the highway department. Travis also helped to run the grocery store in Lyle that his family owned.

Travis was a member of the Lyle American Legion, Austin VFW and Lyle Lions Club. He enjoyed watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed bird watching, playing golf, and meeting his friends every week to play pool. Travis was the announcer and a member of the chain gang during school football games in Lyle. Travis was also a talented singer, singing for the Austin Male Chorus and Our Saviors Church Choir. He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Lila; children, Julie Seavey and Thomas Haakenson; Julie’s children, Benjamin and Jenna; Andy’s children, Andrea, Krystel, and Amanda; Thomas’ children, Carlo and Ella; great-grandchildren, Kyle, Ryan, Oliver, and Alexis; a brother, Eugene (Heide) Haakenson; his beloved dog, Bruno; and many other cousins, relatives and friends.

Travis is preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Andy.

Funeral services for Travis, will be held at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, in Lyle, Minnesota. The Rev. Barbara Finley-Shea will officiate. Visitation will be held on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral Chapel, Albert Lea, and again one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at Woodbury Cemetery in Lyle. Online condolences may be made at www.bonnerupfuneralservice.com. Memorials are preferred to the Lions Eye Bank or donors choice.