A Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper
Teresa A. “Terri” Haakinson, 78, of Cherokee, formerly of Storm Lake, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb.
Memorial Mass will be held Monday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Father Brent Lingle will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation with the family present will be held from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Monday morning at the church. Boothby Funeral Home of Cherokee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
Terri was born on Nov. 13, 1946, to Albert and Wanda (Wright) Helman at David City, Neb. She grew up on the family farm outside of Storm Lake, where she attended Hayes Country School through the eighth grade. She then attended St. Mary’s High School, where she graduated in 1964. Terri furthered her studies in education at Mary Crest College in Davenport.
Terri was united in marriage on June 16, 1966, to her high school sweetheart, Robert James Haakinson, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. With this 59 year union, they had and raised five children: Bonnie, Mike, Steve, Diane and Robin.
Bob and Terri owned and operated The Frame N’Art Shoppe in Storm Lake for 45 years. She found enjoyment using her creative expertise to help decorate the walls of several community businesses and homes, as well as BVU, until her retirement in 2020. Terri loved life and adored her family. She delighted in listening to Elvis, reading, gardening, flowers, fishing, birdwatching and making birdhouses, playing cards and occasionally visiting a casino.
Terri was an incredible woman. A wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, who will be deeply missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wanda and Albert Helman; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Helen and Burt Haakinson; sister Ginnie; brother David Helman; brothers-in-law: Bill Keller, John Binder, Gary Bruns and Billy Sipple.
Terri is survived by her husband Robert Haakinson of Cherokee; children: Bonnie Reimers of Cherokee; Mike (Jamie) Haakinson of Storm Lake; Steve (Melanie) Haakinson of Omaha, Neb.; Diane (Kenny) Larsen of Rembrandt; and Robin Glover of Sioux Rapids; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings: Annette Bruns of Cherokee; Kathy Binder of Victoria, Texas; Vicki (Dan) Harjes of Victoria, Texas; and Alyce Sipple of Victoria, Texas; also several nieces and nephews.
