2005
Haertl Family Christmas Letter 
Greetings
everyone! Christmas is a time to visit the beauty of God’s gift of
Christ, and
the many gifts of friendship and family that grace our lives. This past
year
has brought both beauty and sadness to our lives. As I write this on
Thanksgiving weekend, I am mindful that on this Thanksgiving day it
would have
been Dan's mom Dal and Tuffy (Melvin’s) 54th
anniversary. This past
week he would have turned 90, yet sadly in August, he died
exactly one year after our brother in law (Dan’s step sister Sandy’s
husband)
Dale died. We are grateful for the many
wonderful years together and for all the service and love Tuffy gave to
the
church, community and his family. The
year brought many other events as well. In February, Dan’s stepsister
Theanne
married another Dan. The wedding was
beautiful
and brought opportunity to get together with family.
Picture of Dal and Tuffy at the
wedding.
In memory of Melvin "Tuffy" Rausch" 11/21/15- 8/9/05 (89 years
old)
July 4th weekend, 2004
<>Last family reunion picture of everyone
on Dan's side of the family
Dale (in the back row-left), died 9-9-04, Mel "Tuffy" exactly one year
later
My mother and father
continue to live in Golden Valley
and dad has stayed busy as the swing dance king of the cities and
continues
travel throughout the country playing in tennis tournaments. He has
unending
energy as he regularly bikes 16 miles one way to play 2 hours of
tennis! (Then
bikes back!!) This past summer Mikaela, Jodi and I sadly spent our last
summer
trip with dad up at the cabin. The cabin had been in the family for 40
years but all
cabins on Indian land have been sold back to the Indians. We found a
very nice
buyer but it was sad to say good bye; the cabin holds fond memories.
Dad, Jodi and
Mikaela (a few years ago), tending to the fire
A Look Back- Brian and I
always loved the cabin! (Brian 3/8/67-7/4/97)
We always caught lots of fish---too bad you can't tell from the
picture!!
Good Bye Heart Lake--- The Memories will last forever!!
In
addition to other events, Dan, Mikaela and I were afforded
opportunities this
past year for numerous travels including a trip with the Hamline Tennis
team to
Florida, an illness laden
trip out east to Maine, Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick, and many other
miscellaneous travels to Wisconsin, our annual trip to
Park Rapids for family camp, and many other fun
opportunities. I also had several work related opportunities to
present and attend
conferences throughout the country. I have many fond memories of the
travels, friends, and intellectually inspiring presentations and
conversations.
Hayride
at Bunker Hills (a stable less than a mile from our house)--it connects
to the beautiful Bunker Hills park
A brief
healthy moment for all of us (smile)- on our trip to Nova Scotia
Dan- continues as the Men and
Women’s tennis coach at Hamline
University. He
indicated
that this last year was one of his favorite groups of students as the
players
all got along and were so fun to be around. Mikaela and I would agree
as we
very much enjoyed spending time with them in Florida!!! Dan is also the
Children’s
Ministry Director at our Church and has continued with the development
of the
innovative Sunday School in a workshop rotation formation. In addition
to his
regular work activities, Dan is in a band that plays Children’s music
“Sticks
and Tones”. His musical prowess is also featured weekly as he is in his
11th
year as a volunteer musician at Eisenhower Elementary
School. Dan
reports the highlights of his year to
include expanded opportunities for music including gigs at the Mall of
America,
the Taste of Shoreview, the Coon Rapids
festival, and at a large family waterpark in Wausau Wisconsin.
He was also a solo feature at the Neenah Wisconsin
July 4th
Celebration.
<>Kristi- I continue on as full time
faculty at the College
of St. Catherine
and am
preparing to start a sabbatical in January. I am grateful for the
opportunity and am finishing a fascinating
project as I spent 2 years analyzing my own poetry and journal
writing using
myself as a research participant. The next phase of the project
involves in depth interviews of people who have engaged in personal
writing for a period of years. The focus of inquiry is related to the
role of personal writing in the development of the self. I
eventually hope to study persons with mental illness and the role of
writing in
healing. The year has brought forth many valued opportunities to
write, present, and spend time with colleagues and friends throughout
the country.
In addition to teaching, I continue on in my 22nd year of
teaching
aerobics, and have maintained a small private practice primarily in
mental
health and developmental disabilities. Highlights of my year include
family
church camp up north, the American Occupational Therapy conference and
OS Symposiums in California, and a presentation and
interchange with policy makers and mental health administrators in
Pennsylvania. Amidst it all, that which is most important has been a
personal spiritual growth, and precious time spent
with friends and family.
Mikaela- is in 10th grade
at Blaine H.S. She has been busy as she finds some of the honors
courses a bit more challenging this year, yet continues to dedicate
herself to her studies, music, and friends. Music has become important
to her and she continues playing both electric and acoustic guitar. She
can
play everything from the Beatles to Green Day, to Casting Crowns. She
was kind
enough to play for our vespers at family camp. Mikaela enjoys spending
time
with best friend Jodi, and has made many new friends too. Highlights of
her
year include attendance to family camp, trips, and meeting new friends
that are
important to her, the O’Flanagans. She also had the opportunity to go
to Green
Day, Dashboard Confessional, and Chris Tomlin concerts!! Awesome!
Mikaela and her best friend Jodi
Mikaela's
15th Birthday-- Rather than her GIANT co-ed pool parties she had a fun
filled slumber party this year
As the year comes to
a close we thank you all for your
friendship and send you heartfelt wishes for many blessings in 2006!
Love, Peace and Grace to You- Dan, Kristi and Mikaela Haertl
Haertl 2004 Christmas Page
Kristi's Friends & Family Page
Kristi's Aerobics Page
klhaertl@yahoo.com
