BIG RIGS – Max Bennett, 2, checks out the steering on a steamroller during the 3 to 5 Preschool’s Big Rig fundraiser in front of Mt. Edgecumbe High School Saturday. Hundreds of kids and parents braved the wet weather to check out the assortment of machines, including road building trucks, a U.S. Coast Guard ANT boat, police cars and fire department rigs. Kids were able to ride as passengers on ATVs. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Sentinel Staff Writer
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April 12
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Sentinel Staff Writer
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April 11
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Card of Thanks
Dear Sitka, I would like to say thank you for the outpouring of love and support for t [ ... ]
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Sentinel Staff Writer
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Sentinel Staff Writer
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April 10
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Big Rig Event
Set Saturday
For All Ages
All types of vehicles, food and activities are planned for the [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
After hearing testimony from a number of residents, t [ ... ]
Daily Sitka Sentinel
Neland Jerome Haavig
Neland Jerome Haavig
Neland Jerome Haavig, a longtime resident of Sitka, Walhalla, N.D., and Mesa, Ariz., passed away on March 15 at Narrows Glen Senior Facility in Tacoma, Wash. He was 94.
He was born May 18, 1923, in New Rockford, N.D., Dakota, to Sylvester and Helen (Hanson) Haavig. He graduated in 1941 from Noonan North Dakota High School, where he excelled in athletics and received a football scholarship to Minot State College.
World War II interrupted his studies and he went to Seattle to join the Navy, entering into active service in 1943. He served in the Pacific theater on the cruiser USS Chicago, and in the Atlantic on the aircraft carrier USS Guadalcanal.
After his honorable discharge, he returned to North Dakota to begin his life with his high school sweetheart and wartime bride Joyce L. Helgeson from Columbus, N.D.
In the fall of 1945, Neland enrolled at North Dakota State University in Fargo and graduated in 1950. His first teaching job was in McHenry, N.D. During his tenure there, he attended summer school at the University of North Dakota where he earned a master’s degree. Neland was promoted to superintendent of schools in McHenry and went on to be the superintendent in Noonan, Drake, and Walhalla, N.D.
In March 1964, on the day of the Alaska Good Friday earthquake, Neland accepted the school superintendent position in Sitka. This wonderful opportunity took him, his pregnant wife, seven children, and two vehicles on a camping trip through Canada to the Alaska State Ferry Terminal in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. They boarded the MV Matanuska and docked in Sitka on July 10, 1964.
For the next 15 years Neland was busy as the year round superintendent and as a commercial salmon troller during the summer fishing seasons. (This was true to his Norwegian heritage. His great-great-grandfather was a fisherman on Bomlo Island, Norway.) He retired as superintendent in 1979 and he continued to fish commercially until 1987 when he fully retired.
Neland and Joyce then began the snowbird phase of their life. They summered in Walhalla most of the time and wintered in Venture Out Park and Sunland Village in Mesa. Neland enjoyed entertaining and he was known for his halibut fish and chips.
After no longer summering in Walhalla, they spent a few summers in Medford, Ore., before moving to Narrows Glen in Tacoma in January 2017.
Neland is survived by his wife, Joyce; and daughters Carole Andrews, Pasco, Wash.; Cynthia Haavig, Portland, N.D.; Leslie Hansen (Richard) University Place, Wash.; Kristi Haavig (Jake Allmaras) Medford, Ore.; Maren Haavig (Mark Neidhold), Juneau.
His sons are Steven Haavig (Paula Scavera) Juneau, and Paul Haavig, Sitka.
Grandchildren are Stephany Andrews, Tate Andrews, Brett Haavig, Erika Haavig, Adam Hansen, and Kristofer Hansen; and great-grandchildren are Ander Call, Averie and Bryce Haavig; and Beckett, Maddox, and Paxton Hansen.
Neland was preceded in death by his parents, his son Neland J. Haavig Jr.; son-in-law Thomas Andrews, and two sisters, Arlene Stevenson and Sallymae Hunter.
This spring, a celebration of his life is planned, and he will be interred at Sitka National Cemetery.
Neland was dearly loved by his family and friends. The family is grateful to all the professionals at Narrows Glen and Franciscan Hospice Tacoma who provided care, guidance, and support during Neland’s last days.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contribution to a favorite charity in Neland’s name.
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20 YEARS AGO
April 2004
Responding to the requests of athletes, coaches and parents, the Sitka School Board voted unanimously Monday against a proposal that would have changed Sitka High School’s classification from Class 4A, which includes Juneau and Ketchikan, to the 3A, which has schools with enrollment of 100 to 400 students.
50 YEARS AGO
April 1974
Memories of Sitka’s first radio station have been revived by a St. Louis, Mo., man who was one of the founders. Fred A. Wiethuchter recently wrote a letter to “Mayor Sitka, Alaska” asking about the town since he was here during World War II. He was an Army private at Fort Ray when he was attached to Armed Services Radio Station KRAY and WVCX ....
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