Obituaries

Mounds View/Freeport

LaDelle Elaine (Haug) Mackeben, 86

LaDelle Elaine (Haug) Mackeben, 86, of Mounds View passed away on January 6, 2024. She was born on September 5, 1937 in Hanover Township, Illinois, to parents Leo E. and Winifred (Monnier) Haug.

LaDelle is survived by her husband Don, children Randall, Deanna Roy, and Michael (Lisa), grandchildren Natasha (John) Jakway, Sarah (Max) Morris, and Jack, great-grandson Macklin Morris, sisters Merilynn Ross and Phyllis Hermann, and sisters-in-law Darlene Haug and Barbara Haug.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers, Harvey, Melvin, and Leo R. Haug.

LaDelle was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She married Don Mackeben on April 28, 1957. Together, they moved around the country. They began married life in Naperville, Illinois, while Don attended college. Then they moved to Centerville, Iowa. Don joined the Army, moving the family to Fort Benjamin Harrison. They then moved to Fort Leonard Wood, where LaDelle and Don welcomed Randall and Deanna at the Army hospital. Together, the family then moved to Freeport.

The family made their way to Minnesota in 1966, only a few weeks before they welcomed Michael. They settled into their forever home on Sunnyside Road on Don’s birthday in 1969, and LaDelle soon became a vibrant and active member of her church and community.

One way LaDelle will always be remembered is her generosity with sewing. From pieces of the Red Oak baseball association uniform to costumes for North Heights performances, she was always willing to use her unique talents for the community. She also created many memorable things for her family members, including period costumes for trips to Colonial Williamsburg; wedding veils for Lisa, Natasha, and Sarah; and a baptismal gown for Jack.

LaDelle was an active traveler. Adventuring on her own to Greece in the summer of 1988, she experienced the world from new perspectives, making new friends along the way (and bringing home a jar of some strong stuff that sits at the back of a cabinet to this day). Her and Don traveled together frequently, often bringing along their grandchildren, seeking sun and activity around the United States, with frequent visits to Sanibel Island, Sea World, and Hawaii.

She was a firm believer in pursuing education. Growing up in a small town, she was the only student in her class until she attended Stockton High School. Eventually, when her kids were grown up, she decided to attend St. Catherine University to pursue her bachelor’s in psychology. She graduated with honors in 1988. LaDelle was an avid reader throughout her life.

LaDelle was a teacher’s aide at Pinewood Elementary in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She worked at various preschools following her graduation from St. Catherine. After her retirement, she volunteered at the North Heights bookstore.

Cherished family memories were always made at Camp Onomia, where most of the family has gathered annually since 1966. Though the family loved to spend this week doing water sports, LaDelle preferred one sunset cruise around Lake Shakopee per year with friends.

A visitation was held on Friday, January 19, from 4-7:00 p.m. A memorial service was held on Saturday, January 20 at 11:00 a.m., with a one-hour visitation before and a reception to follow.

LaDelle’s family would also like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Mayo Clinic and J.A. Wedum Residential Hospice for their incredible kindness, care, and support. In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorial to Camp Onomia, 14202 Shakopee Lake Rd, Onamia, MN 56359 or camponomia.campbraingiving.com