David Haataja

David Rudolph Haataja, age 38, of Menahga, Minn, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

David was born to Steven and Patricia (Tieva) Haataja on July 6, 1985, the sixth of ten children.

David was a happy and easy-going child. His family remembers how much he enjoyed endless summer days at the lake – boating, sauna-swimming and jumping off rope swings that he had made. He was an avid water skier and got his boating license as soon as he was old enough. He taught a few others to water ski as well.

David attended Menahga Public School, graduating in 2004. For a short while he lived in the Minneapolis area with friends, working for a concrete firm and learning the trade that would be his career. When he moved back to Menahga, he worked for KL Concrete, then later started his own business, DBH Concrete. He was gifted in making beautiful stamped and finished concrete. He had a reputation with builders for his high-quality work – they knew he would get it done right. His employees appreciated his calm and patient demeanor and gift of teaching. David made a lot of friends over the years and would give “the shirt off his back” for them.

David married Bria Mattila on June 12, 2010. He was a loving father to his children and stepchildren. His children loved his adventurous spirit. He was always willing to do what the kids wanted, such as sleeping on the trampoline or in a hammock in the yard, no matter the temperature. As a family, they often went ice fishing and summer fishing. David enjoyed Boundary Waters trips with family and friends. His favorite sports were hockey, baseball and football, and he enjoyed attending his kids’ and nephews’ games. He was a special uncle and took time to notice the little ones. He could be found on the floor, playing trucks or games with them. The kids remember rides in his skid-loader or his truck, or when he took one of them out for a special treat.

David is survived by his sons Dylan, Ethan and Jayce, stepchildren Quincy and Kyah. He is also survived by his loving parents, Steven and Patricia Haataja; siblings Lisa, Karen (and Keith) Hillstrom, Keith (and Jessica), Ann (and Brent) Karvonen, Michael (and Karen), Carole (and Dustan) Waaraniemi, Katie (and Ryan) Makela, Barbara (and Ben) Vonada, Richard (and Reva); many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Haataja, please visit our floral store.