Louise Mohr Haaby

Louise Mohr Haaby, 94, of Great Falls, died peacefully on May 15th, 2021, after a brief illness. Born in Chicago on May 22, 1926 to Grace Adelaide and John Henry Mohr, she had a happy childhood, even amid the Great Depression. She attended Purdue University where she met her future husband and transferred to University of Wyoming in Laramie, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Louise married Earl Haaby and had two children, Gail, and Karen. Around 1960, the family moved from Sheridan, Wyoming, to Great Falls, Montana. Louise spent many years as a homemaker and then built a second career as a kindergarten teacher, retiring after 25 years with Great Falls Public Schools. Her daughters and granddaughters all remember her cooking and baking prowess – from a mean pork chop to the perfect coffee cake. Grandchildren learned to sneak through the kitchen for a third chocolate chip cookie or second bowl of ice cream with chocolate syrup. Louise was a strong supporter of Faith Lutheran Church, her community, and the arts – she was a docent at Paris Gibson Square, ushered for the Mansfield Center, belonged to CM Russell Museum for 38 years, and found other ways to donate her time and money to local needs. We remember Louise fondly and would like to share three parts of her larger-than-life personality. Adventurer. Louise was independent and unafraid to try something new. When she was just 16, she and a friend rode on a 30s-era roller coaster, despite its terrifying local reputation. She learned to ski at 45, traveled Europe alone in her 60s and enjoyed international travel well into her 80s with the Friendship Force. Socializer. In family vacations to Swan Lake, Louise would walk from campfire to campfire, visiting with each family and singing – until the family would pack it in for the night, and she would move to the next fire and start again. Louise enjoyed a good visit – whether on the phone for hours, over a leisurely lunch or a long weekend trip to a family member’s house across the mountains. Lifelong Learner. At the heart of an educator is an irrepressible student. Louise would always stop to read a plaque or caption, and collected family history and heirlooms to share throughout her life. Louise believed an education didn’t end at graduation – she probably had an interesting newspaper clipping or two to share. She is survived by her two daughters, Gail Holzheimer and Karen Rennick; five granddaughters, Heather (Randy) Burcham, Heidi (Mark Taylor) Wadsworth, Robin Rennick, Brooke (Loren) Bors, and Cristin (Ryan) Nielsen; six great-grandchildren, Riley and Bailey Wadsworth, Keaton and Kendal Burcham, Aria Rennick and KR Nielsen; and her brother, John (Lynn) Mohr. She is preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn Mohr; parents, Grace and John Mohr; son-in-law, Ron Rennick; and grandson-in-law, Jim Wadsworth. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 25, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. Memorial donations may be made to Faith Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice. Louise/Grams/GG lived a full life of accomplishment and principle, loved by her family and large circle of friends.