Christine R. Haaland

Haaland, Christine R. 95, passed away October 14, 2013. She was born Christine Rasmussen in Council Bluffs, Iowa in Nov. 27, 1914. Chris received her Bachelor�s Degree in English from St. Catherine College, St. Paul MN, and taught high school English in Wisconsin. She married John Haaland on July 19, 1943, and after several years in NYC, they moved to Albuquerque, NM. Chris was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albuquerque since 1948. Her interest in children and Christian education led to many years of service as a Sunday school teacher. Over the years Chris, along with her husband John, served the church at local, regional and national levels with their leadership, time, and commitment. Ecumenism was also an issue of great interest for Chris. While working with the growing numbers of hungry people in Albuquerque, Chris realized that changes in our government processes were necessary to improve the lives of the poor. She became an advocate who gave voice to persons with no political voice. She and her husband John were instrumental in establishing the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry (now Lutheran Advocacy Ministry) in New Mexico in 1984. Its goal is to work with legislators and public officials in NM to pass laws to protect and help the sick, mentally ill, elderly, and children of this state; to promote justice and reduce discrimination; and to bring hope for the future to the poor of NM. She was an early board member and 3-time secretary of the Association of Lutheran Older Adults (ALOA), and she spent many years teaching local and national workshops on aging. Chris also participated in the NM Human Services Coalition, was a member of St. Josheph�s �60 � Advisory Board, a �Storehouse� volunteer, and vice president and secretary of the Conference of Churches, and a Remedial Reading volunteer. For 16 years, Chris and John worked to raise the awareness of St. Paul and other congregations in Albuquerque of the churches' call to welcome all people, including gays and lesbians, "to worship God and serve beside us." Chris longed for this welcome to become a public commitment of her congregation before she died. St. Paul Lutheran Church gave her this wonderful gift in 2006. Thanks also to all the friends and staff at Manzano del Sol for their friendship and help these last 8 years and to Hospice of NM for making her last days comfortable. Chris was preceded in death by her husband John and son, Tom. She is survived by sons, John Haaland, David Haaland and wife Kathy, James Haaland, Tom�s wife Pat, and daughter Vickie Paley and husband Thomas. Chris is also survived by eight grandchildren: Elisa McEneely and husband Mike, Tashia Camp and husband Darrol, Jennifer Cannon and husband Keil, Leora Davis and husband Nick, Terra Wilson and husband Marcus, Malena Von Deneen and husband Steve, Ryan Haaland, and Thomas T. Paley II; 9 great grandchildren: Tierra Ellison, Tajiah Ellison, Darrol Camp Jr., Tevante Wilson, Tyanna Wilson, Taylor Wilson, Odin Davis, Colin McNeely, Kaia Cannon, Eli Cannon, and numerous foster children and other family and friends. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1100 Indian School Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to The Storehouse or St. Paul Lutheran Church. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 505-821-0010