Obituary of Jerry Howard Haapanen

Jerry Howard Haapanen, 72, died on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at Lake Forest Hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Jerry was born August 17, 1944 in Finlayson, MN.  He received his Associate Degree from Finlandia University (formerly Suomi College) Hancock, MI, his BS Printing Management and BS Printing Education from South Dakota State University, and his Masters Degree in Education from Roosevelt University.  Jerry was a former printing teacher at West High School, Waukegan, IL from 1968 - 1981 where he also taught night school, supervised summer printing, and was the yearbook advisor.  In 1979 he started a typesetting business which grew into Haapanen Brothers Inc. printing co. in Gurnee, IL.  He was involved with the company until his death.

Jerry was a member of North Shore Craftsman Club where he served a term as President.  He was also a board member of Great Lakes Graphic Arts Association.  Jerry was an active member of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Waukegan, having served as chairman of the Relocation and Building committees and where he currently served on the finance committee.  He served as President of Chapel in the Pines, Three Lakes, WI.  Jerry was also an assistant leader of Boy Scout Troop 75 and was both the coach and assistant coach of Gurnee Little League Baseball.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years Kathrine (nee Ecola) Haapanen whom he married on July 1, 1967; son Jonathan (Sarah) Haapanen and their children Ben, Kate, and Levi, son Matthew (Megan) Haapanen and their children Reina and Colin, and daughter Rebecca Haapanen;   sister Beatrice “Bea” Haapanen and brother Rick (Lindy) Haapanen; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by father and mother Verner “Ben” and Irene (nee Sironen) Haapanen.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3350 North Delany Road, Waukegan, IL.  A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church. 
Another memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., at Chapel in the Pines, 7793 Preachers Point Road, Three Lakes, WI 54562.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to: Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, c/o Advancement Office, 601 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930, or St. Mark’s Evangelical Church, 3350 North Delany Road, Waukegan, IL 60087, or University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation, 5841 S Maryland Ave., MC1140, Chicago, IL 60637.