Ivan J. Hakseth, age 91 of Hastings, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Heaven gained an angel. Ivan John Hakseth, loving, devoted husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, friend, in-law and son.
Ivan was born in Hastings to John and Emily Hakseth, along with a brother and five sisters. He graduated from Hastings High School, Class of 1953, and enjoyed meeting up with classmates regularly — as recently as last month.
After graduation, he was Army bound (proudly and honorably serving his country for a total of nine years). He was stationed at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and it was there that his childhood sweetheart, Donna, joined him to be united in marriage on January 25, 1955. A year later, they welcomed their firstborn son, Jimmy, there as well. They returned home to raise their family, adding two more sons, Mike and Marv, and a daughter, Renee.
In the early years, Ivan had various jobs until he landed his position at 3M Chemolite and remained there for 35 years until retirement.
Ivan enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons along with other relatives and friends. He frequented the hot spots in the Grantsburg–Siren area, which was his father’s birthplace and home to many cousins. Golfing was a recreation he enjoyed and played every chance he got. He played many rounds in MN and FL with his daughter and son-in-law. He would proudly boast about getting two hole-in-ones. He volunteered at Lakeside Cemetery for years, maintaining the grounds and always had a garden big enough to share with whoever wanted some. He and Donna enjoyed traveling throughout the years. They frequented Las Vegas (funning), Northern MN (fishing), AZ, TX (visiting), and then during retirement, snowbirding in LaBelle, FL. He did most of his own maintenance, auto repair, plumbing, and was basically a jack of all trades right up until the day he passed. After all that, he still found time to go play at Treasure Island and do a little monkey business. He enjoyed it more with Donna, but after we lost her, Renee took the torch and would meet him there most weeks.
Ivan was kind, generous, funny, caring, and just a true gem. He set a great example of how to live life to the fullest, and his kids were told, “Your dad is the nicest man I’ve ever met.” Above all, Ivan will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family. His soon-to-be-famous last words were: It’ll be ok.
He is survived by his children, Michael Hakseth, Marvin (Janice) Hakseth, and Renee (Arlo) Rhoads; along with 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Myrna (Don); in-laws, Phyllis Hakseth, Rose (Jerry), Debbie, Joyce, and Bob; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Donna; son, Jimmy; his parents; siblings, Shirley, Chuck, Sue, Toots, Lorraine; daughter-in-law, Mary; in-laws, Bob, Leonard, Charlie, Emma and Walter Gabbert, Dick, Joanne, and Marcy.
A Celebration of Life for Ivan will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion St, Hastings, MN 55033, with a visitation one hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow the service, and interment will take place at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings.
Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings is handling arrangements.
