Adella Haakenson

Memorial services were held Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010, at Bergen Lutheran Church, Lidgerwood, for Adella Williams Haakenson, 92, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., who died Monday, Nov. 1 in Murfreesboro.

Adella was born July 21, 1918, in Barton, a daughter of Bird and Clara (Fluevog) Saude. She grew up and attended school in Barton, graduating in 1936. She attended Jamestown College from 1936-40, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduation, she taught at Geneseo High School from 1940-41. She married Clifford Williams on Aug. 21, 1941. They farmed with Clifford’s parents until moving to Lidgerwood in 1987. She taught at a rural school near Wyndmere from 1953-55, and at Lidgerwood High School from 1957-73. After retiring, she served as state director for the National Retired Teachers Association from 1978-80. In 1982, she was elected as Democrat-NPL District 27 representative to the N.D. Legislature, serving until 1990. Clifford died May 27, 1995. She married George Haakenson on Oct. 7, 1999. They made their home in Barton. George died in 2006. She moved to Tennessee to be near her daughters.

She was lay leader at the Lidgerwood United Methodist Church and a member of the Lidgerwood Caregivers, Dexter Homemakers, Whist Club, and Farmers Union.

She is survived by her children, Clark Williams, Wahpeton, Jerome Williams, Burnsville, Minn., Konnie Holder, Tullahoma, Tenn., Janet Johnsen, Maple Grove, Minn., and Jane Anastario, Nashville, Tenn.; 17 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, Clifford Williams and George Haakenson; one son, Brian Williams; and one sister, Bessie.