Ronald "Ron" Oscar Haavisto

Ron Haavisto passed away peacefully at his home in Brook Park on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at the age of 83.

Ronald Oscar Haavisto was born August 1, 1936 to Oscar and Sidora (Sizer) Haavisto in Pine County, Minnesota.

Ron attended Pine City High School and graduated in 1954. Directly after high school, he moved to the Twin Cities. While living with his Uncle Buck in the cities, he worked as a tractor mechanic for Cockshutt.  During this time, Ron met and later married Bette Benson in July of 1955. The two of them had five children; James, Daniel, Laurie, Carrie and Vickie.

In October of 1959, Ron and Bette purchased an 80 acre farm in Pine City. Ron started a business of hauling canned milk to the creamery while farming, and later also hauled cattle to the South St. Paul stockyard, as well as locally, for 33 years. In addition to hauling cattle, he also was hauling freight from the Twin Cities, all while keeping their dairy farm operation running. He appreciated all of his patrons, customers, and friends that he worked with through his trucking career.

In 1969, Bette passed away due to a long illness. In 1970, he remarried and in 1971, his son Troy was born.  Ron continued to raise his family on the farm.  In 1980, he met Debbie Ostenson and together with her son Mark, they continued to farm and haul cattle.  On March 23, 2001, Ron and Debbie were married at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Pine City.  During their marriage, they enjoyed frequenting auctions, caring for their animals, especially Troy’s dog Lola, traveling and special trips as well as spending time with their friends, family and grandchildren.

In July of 2017, Ron and Debbie decided to leave farming and purchased a new home in Brook Park Township.  In 2019, they made the decision to sell the homestead and live out their days in their new home.

Ron is survived by his wife Debbie Haavisto of Brook Park; children: Jim (Pavinee) Haavisto of Turtle Lake, WI, Dan Haavisto of Rock Creek, Laurie (Ben) Novak, Carrie (Kevin) Haavisto-Hofstad, Vicki Haavisto all of Pine City, Troy Haavisto of Blaine, Mark (Kristy) Ostenson of Pine City; grandchildren Jerrid Haavisto, Colton Haavisto, Todd Bjorklund, Eric Bjorklund, Ashley Martin (Sauter), Terron Novak, Jasirae Novak, Bo Novak, Tony Kohl, Chad Kohl, A.J. Ostenson and Lyncoln Ostenson; 8 great-grandchildren; brothers Steve (Sue) Haavisto and Richard Haavisto all of Pine City; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Beverly Chaffee of Hinckley, Ilene Haavisto of Rock Creek, Jim Ostenson of Alexandria, Ken (Connie) Ostenson, John Ostenson, David Ostenson, Joy Lewis, Helen Ostenson all of Mora, Karrie (Bob) Lietch of Minnetonka; many other relatives and friends.

Ron is preceded in death by his grandparents; parents Oscar and Sidora Haavisto; wife Bette Haavisto; brothers Roger and Doug Haavisto.

Reverend Dr. Vicki VanderVegt will officiate at a private family service for Ron: Friday, May 22, 2020 with a time of visitation for friends and family planned for Thursday (5/21) from 5-8 PM at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City.  The interment will take place at Union Cemetery in Grasston.

Memorials in Ron’s memory may be directed to: Twin Cities Shrinner’s Healthcare for Children-Twin Cities 2025 River Pkwy., Minneapolis, MN 55414 and/or Homeless & Wounded Warriors-MN 36200 Pondview Lane, Crosslake, MN 56442.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel.
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com