Stephen G. Haakenson, 58, of the town of Lafayette, Chippewa Falls, and formerly of Eau Claire died at home on Monday, December 13, 2004.\r\nHe was born November 6, 1946, in Edgerton, Wisconsin, the son of Henry and Ellen (Zinn) Haakenson. He graduated from Milton Union High School in 1964 and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1971. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964. He served with the 5th Army Band at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and then with the 1st Air Cavalry Division Band in Viet Nam from 1966 until his honorable discharge in 1967. \r\nSteve married Margaret A. Baker on June 14, 1969, in Madison, Wisconsin.\r\nHe was the band director at Hudson Senior High for eight years as well as at DeLong Middle School for twenty-two years, until his retirement in 2001. With his friend and mentor Dr. Donald George, he co-founded the Chippewa Valley Concert Band and served as the assistant director. Over the years he was a clarinet soloist and clinician with various orchestras and bands in Northwestern Wisconsin. Throughout his life he enjoyed many fishing and camping trips, golf outings and trips to Florida and Mexico.\r\nSteve is survived by his wife, Margaret; two brothers, David (Barbara) of Elk Mound and William (Linda) of Lake Mills; and one sister, Bergine Haakenson, of Eau Claire; mother-in-law, LaVerne Baker of Chippewa Falls; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Norm and Bea Kurtz of Tulsa, Oklahoma; five nephews, David G. Haakenson of Amery, Dan (Donna) of Elk Mound and their children, Lyndsey and Daniel, Eric (Aimee) Haakenson of Cary, Illinois and their children, Anna and Lauren, Scott (Aimee) Kurtz of Chandler, Arizona and Jason Kurtz of Milwaukee; four nieces, Susan (Brent) Honadel of Minneapolis, Karen (Harry) Kahan of Eau Claire, Kristi (Larry) Haakenson-Komro of Altoona and their children, Steven and Logan, and Sarah Haakenson of Itasca, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Chuck Baker.\r\nSteve was dearly loved. He lived his life with great joy and energy. He will be remembered for his generosity, sense of humor, unfailing optimism, and his affectionate commitment to his family, friends and students.\r\nMemorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 20, 2004, at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd with Pastor Paul D.L. Oppedahl officiating. Burial will be in Cooksville Lutheran Church Cemetery in Cooksville, Wisconsin. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, December 19, 2004, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Monday at the church.\r\n

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