Carol Ruth Hakala, 77, was born on October 29, 1945, in San Francisco, CA, to Laurie J. Hakala, M.D., and Mildred R. (Nelson) Hakala. Carol passed away on October 2, 2023, in Lakewood, WA, at Angel's Palace Adult Family Home from complications of a prior stroke and COPD.
Carol grew up in Aberdeen, WA, and attended J.M. Weatherwax High School, graduating in 1963. She was active in high school and participated in the Latin Club, Choir, French Club, Future Teachers of America, and was on the Girls' Tennis Team. Outside of school, Carol attended the well-known Cohasseq Riding Academy in Cosmopolis, WA. She graduated from the academy with a Master's in Horsemanship and was an accomplished rider in English saddle, dressage, and jumping. Carol's love of horses continued as she owned and trained them. Another love Carol had was her love of dogs. She always had a dog or several at once, and on random occasions, dogs found Carol as their forever home.
Carol attended Dominican University of California in San Rafael, CA, and received her Bachelor's Degree after high school. Later, she attended Seattle University in Seattle, WA, and obtained teaching credentials. She worked as an elementary school teacher in the Seattle area. Carol was passionate about helping others and pursued graduate studies at Seattle University in Counseling. She later attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, to complete a Master's in Social Work. After living in Kansas for several years, Carol returned to Aberdeen and Olympia, WA, and worked for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services in Child Protection Services.
Carol is survived by her son, Ivan Hakala of Olympia, WA; a brother, Thomas R. Hakala, M.D. of Reno, NV; a sister Mary F. Hakala of Boston, MA, and many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her Godson, Peter Lentz of Aberdeen, WA, whom she considered family, as well as lifelong friends in Western Washington, of Seattle, Olympia, and Aberdeen. Carol was preceded in death by her son, Sean McIlraith of Seattle, WA; her brother John E. Hakala of Simi Valley, CA, and her parents Laurie J. Hakala, M.D. of Boulder City, NV, and Mildred R. Hakala of Aberdeen, WA.
There will be a time of visitation on Tuesday, October 24th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA. The committal service will occur on Wednesday, October 25th, at 2 p.m. in Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen, WA.
Carol requested donations to Paws of Grays Harbor, 800 W. 1st St., Aberdeen, WA 98520.
Arrangements are through Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carol Hakala, please visit our flower store.
Carol grew up in Aberdeen, WA, and attended J.M. Weatherwax High School, graduating in 1963. She was active in high school and participated in the Latin Club, Choir, French Club, Future Teachers of America, and was on the Girls' Tennis Team. Outside of school, Carol attended the well-known Cohasseq Riding Academy in Cosmopolis, WA. She graduated from the academy with a Master's in Horsemanship and was an accomplished rider in English saddle, dressage, and jumping. Carol's love of horses continued as she owned and trained them. Another love Carol had was her love of dogs. She always had a dog or several at once, and on random occasions, dogs found Carol as their forever home.
Carol attended Dominican University of California in San Rafael, CA, and received her Bachelor's Degree after high school. Later, she attended Seattle University in Seattle, WA, and obtained teaching credentials. She worked as an elementary school teacher in the Seattle area. Carol was passionate about helping others and pursued graduate studies at Seattle University in Counseling. She later attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS, to complete a Master's in Social Work. After living in Kansas for several years, Carol returned to Aberdeen and Olympia, WA, and worked for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services in Child Protection Services.
Carol is survived by her son, Ivan Hakala of Olympia, WA; a brother, Thomas R. Hakala, M.D. of Reno, NV; a sister Mary F. Hakala of Boston, MA, and many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her Godson, Peter Lentz of Aberdeen, WA, whom she considered family, as well as lifelong friends in Western Washington, of Seattle, Olympia, and Aberdeen. Carol was preceded in death by her son, Sean McIlraith of Seattle, WA; her brother John E. Hakala of Simi Valley, CA, and her parents Laurie J. Hakala, M.D. of Boulder City, NV, and Mildred R. Hakala of Aberdeen, WA.
There will be a time of visitation on Tuesday, October 24th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA. The committal service will occur on Wednesday, October 25th, at 2 p.m. in Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen, WA.
Carol requested donations to Paws of Grays Harbor, 800 W. 1st St., Aberdeen, WA 98520.
Arrangements are through Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, WA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carol Hakala, please visit our flower store.
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