Obituary of Anina Ann Haker

Obituary for Anina Ann Haker, 2/19/1937 – 9/7/2024

Anina Ann Haker passed away unexpectedly in the early hours of Saturday, September 7^th, 2024, at the age of 87.  She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to her loving parents, Victor and Muriel Ipsen on February 19^th, 1937, and was baptized at Faith Presbyterian Church on June 5^th, 1938.  She loved growing up in Milwaukee, occasionally hiding in the farmer’s field, and often eating her lunch in the woods across from her childhood home.

Anina graduated from Pulaski High School in Milwaukee in June of 1954.  She loved “malt shop” music, so being just out of high school a short stint as a car hop was a natural fit.  She was working as a typist when she fell fast and hard for the love of her life, Paul Haker.  On their first date, Paul presented Anina with a single red rose and the rest is history.  Anina and Paul were married by Paul’s father, Pastor Milton Haker at First Lutheran Church in West Allis, Wisconsin on August 5^th, 1961.  They were blessed with four children – two sons and two daughters.

Paul and Anina had a practically telepathic relationship, sending each other mental notes and requests regularly.  She’d stand in the kitchen and say to herself, “Paul, we need milk…” and an hour later he would walk in the house and say, “I stopped at the grocery store – I thought we might be getting low on milk.” 

Paul’s career in marketing relocated them multiple times. All their children were born in different cities and states throughout the Midwest. In 1982 they moved from St. Cloud, MN to Rochester, NY, then to San Francisco, CA, back to Rochester, and down to St. Louis, MO before finally landing back in Minneapolis in the late 1990s.

Paul and Anina were married for 41 years until Paul’s sudden death in 2003.  After Paul’s passing, Anina was active in the Red Hat Club and the St. Louis Park “Parkettes”, and she volunteered more than 250 hours at the Lenox Senior Center in St. Louis Park.  She made friends wherever she went, and everyone she met was charmed by her dazzling smile. 

Anina was a talented homemaker, baking homemade bread on a regular basis and desserts almost daily.  She was a talented seamstress, a fast typist and had the most impeccable handwriting.  She also had a stunning smile, a beautiful speaking voice, and a wicked sense of humor.  She was happiest when she was laughing and teasing with her family, of whom she was so very proud. 

Anina is survived by her children: Dan (and Terri) Haker, Aimee (and Boyd) Lee, Shannon Smith, and Brad Haker, her grandchildren, Joseph (and Ali) Haker, Travis (and Mandy) Fischer, Kelly (and Levi) Watson, Courtney (and Brett) Fontaine, Katie Haker, and Alysha Aceto, her five great-grandchildren, Addie and Jude Watson, Mateo Haker, and Reese and Dakota Fontaine, and nieces, nephews and countless friends.  Preceding her in death were her beloved parents, Victor and Muriel Ipsen, her sister, Shirley McPeak, her brother, Kent Ipsen, her son-in-law Chris Smith, and her true love, her husband, Paul Haker.  We will miss her more than words can say.