Obituary of Skaidrite Haller

Skaidrite Haller of Duluth, MN was born April 9, 1934 in Adazi, Latvia the daughter of Arturs and Natalija (Voldins) Petersons. She passed away peacefully on August 11, 2024 at the Benedictine Living Community - Marywood.

Skaidrite’s early years were spent growing up in Latvia at a displaced persons camp in Esslingen, Germany. Skaidrite’s family immigrated to the United States in 1949. Her family lived and farmed in Jo Daviess and Carroll counties, IL. Skaidrite attended Stockton and Elizabeth high schools, graduating in 1954. She graduated from the Rockford Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1957 as a registered nurse. Skaidrite worked the 11-7 shift for many years caring for the residents of Wesley Willows Nursing Home in Rockford, IL. Skaidrite retired in 1999 to the family farm in Mt. Carroll, IL; moving to Duluth in 2006.

Skaidrite married Carl Haller on September 6, 1958. Skaidrite was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rockford, IL. Skaidrite enjoyed baking, especially her toll house cookies and pound cakes. She gardened and enjoyed her many plants, including her Christmas cactuses. She was able to root and grow many plant sprigs and clippings she would acquire. She often would pull a plant sprig out of her pocket that she had acquired from somewhere. Fresh blooms, tomatoes, and berries were always plentiful in her gardens. Skaidrite enjoyed reading and avidly supported her local libraries. Skaidrite would frequently get off work, nap a few hours, then drive her own and the neighborhood kids to the lake for swimming in the afternoon. Skaidrite especially enjoyed writing cards and letters. She would send notes for every and all occasions. The recipients of her letters often remarked how they would keep these, whether it was a quick card to say hello or a more detailed essay of everyday goings on.

Skaidrite’s Latvian culture was important to her and she enjoyed following and staying connected with the current events of the Latvian diaspora in the US. It is almost, to the month, 80 years ago that she had to leave her home country as the Soviet Union was pushing the eastern front back to Germany. Many families left with only what they could carry, never again to see their homeland or families left behind. Latvia remained behind the Iron Curtain for almost 50 years.

Skaidrite is survived by her children, Sigurd, Heidi Stone (Alan), and Tobi (Lynn); grandchildren Michael (Sierra), Andrew (Nessa), Andrea (Patrick), and Annika; great-grandson Henry; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister Lucija Walbridge.

Skaidrite’s family wishes to express a sincere thank you to the staff of the Benedictine Living Community - Marywood and St. Croix Hospice for the outstanding care that she received.

No funeral or memorial services will be held. There will be a celebration of life and burial at a date to be determined in the future. Memorials may be made in Skaidrite’s name to the Duluth Library Foundation or Animal Allies Humane Society-Duluth. Skaidrite’s family is being assisted by the Cremation Society of Minnesota.