Obituary of Martti Kaarlo Haataja

December 19, 1932 – Joensuu, Finland

April 17, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Martti Haataja, beloved husband of Onerva Haataja (nee Montela), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the age of 91 years.

Martti was born in Joensuu, Finland on December 19, 1932. He emigrated from Finland in 1972, and immigrated to Canada in 1973, settling in Calgary, AB, in 1981. Martti married Onerva in 1956, and graduated from the University of Helsinki in 1957, with a Master’s Degree in Theology. He joined the Finnish Armed Forces as Army Chaplain and was stationed in Hennala, Lahti, Finland, from 1957 to 1958.

Martti dedicated his life to following the Lord and travelled worldwide to spread the Gospel News of Jesus Christ. Martti, Onerva, and their children lived in Finland, Taiwan, the United States, and Canada. Martti was a Finnish Lutheran Reverend and he and Onerva were members of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission for many years.

Martti had a passion for creating family videos and he created many video series, including Family Roots videos reviewing the Haataja family history back several generations. He even created his own video production company called MH Productions.

When Martti’s first grandchild was born, he became “Ukki” (grandpa) and that became his name from thereon in. Everyone referred to him as Ukki, even people who weren’t his grandchildren.

Martti’s favourite saying to all his grandchildren in Finnish was, “Missä Ukin pieni pulu,” translates as “Where is Ukki’s little sweetie?” He would patiently teach them to respond by pointing to themselves to show where his sweetie was. He taught them as very young babies, so even the youngest grandchild knew how to show Ukki where his little sweetie was when asked and they would happily reply, “Tässä (here)”. He liked to say this to his grown grandchildren too, as well as his great-grandchildren. They were all his little “pulus”, no matter what age.

He will be most remembered for his dedication to and love of Jesus Christ and his teachings on how to live your life for the Lord.

Besides his loving wife Onerva, Martti is survived by his three daughters and two sons-in-law, Terhi (nee Haataja) and Peter Läntelä of Calgary, AB, Anneli (nee Haataja) and Emeric Janssens of Lethbridge, AB, Sinikka Koivisto (nee Haataja) of Airdrie, AB; two sons and two daughters-in-law; Risto Haataja and Natalia Haataja of Odessa, Ukraine, Ossi Haataja and Riikka Haataja of Airdrie, AB; thirteen grandchildren, Daniel Läntelä, Jukka Läntelä, Tuomas Mäkilä, Esa Haataja, Nina Prefontaine, and Kati Konoff, all of Calgary, AB, Aleksi Mäkilä of Rocky View County, AB, Anna Haataja of Airdrie, AB, Ari Läntelä of Salmon Arm, BC, Kristina Weber of Olathe, Kansas, Melisse Michel of Atlanta, Georgia, Eva Miocevic of Midland, Texas, and David Haataja of Meltosjärvi, Finland; and his nineteen great-grandchildren, Laana Läntelä, Kaija Läntelä, Niko Mäkilä, Nolan Prefontaine, Elise Prefontaine, Cooper Konoff, Evie Konoff all of Calgary, AB, Eliina Mäkilä, Aria Mäkilä, Isla Mäkilä, Cohen Mäkilä all of Rocky View County, AB, Maple Läntelä of Salmon Arm, BC, Norah Weber of Olathe, Kansas, Judah Smith, Kalani Michel both of Atlanta, Georgia, Millie Miocevic and Madeleine Miocevic both of Midland, Texas, and Eli Haataja and Mya Haataja both of Denman, Australia. Martti is also survived by his nephew, Heikki Hallikas of Lahti, Finland.

Martti was predeceased by parents Kaarlo and Saima (nee Jaakkola) Haataja, and sister Liisa Hallikas (nee Haataja).

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB ) on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Haataja’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Martti’s family here.

In living memory of Martti Haataja, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 3V9, Telephone: 403-248-8585.

Click to Sign the Video Guest Book and Watch Martti's Service