Ingrid M (Salo) Haeusler

Ingrid was born on March 7, 1946, in Sweden to mother, Irene, a native Detroiter on an arduous journey home. Ingrid and her mother moved to the United States when Ingrid was 3 months old. She grew up in Rudyard, Michigan with her mother, stepfather Robert Salo, and 4 younger sisters, Louise, Edith, Lillian, and Helen. Ingrid graduated from Rudyard High School and Western Michigan University. She married Tom Haeusler in January 1974. Ingrid and Tom lived for decades in Farmington, Michigan, where they raised 3 daughters, Jessica, Rebecca, and Sarah. Ingrid worked for Charter One Bank for 12 years, rising to the level of Branch Manager. In their retirement, Ingrid and Tom resided in South Lyon, Michigan and traveled extensively. In 2024, Ingrid and Tom celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a treasured trip with their children and grandchildren to Kennebunkport, Maine.

In 2016, Ingrid’s life took a very meaningful turn. After many years of searching, the family of Pekka Heiskari of Varejoki Finland finally found his only daughter, Ingrid, from whom he had been separated due to circumstances following World War II. Ingrid, Tom, and their daughters traveled to Sweden and Finland where they were reunited with Ingrid’s Finnish family, including dozens of first cousins. For the remainder of her life, Ingrid cherished her long-sought connection to her father and his family.

Ingrid was a beloved matriarch of her extended family, including her 4 sisters and 8 nieces and nephews. She was a member of Antioch Lutheran Church and St. John Lutheran Church. She was a member of Michigan Chapter BI of the philanthropic educational organization P.E.O., where she helped raise funds for women’s education, and where she served in multiple leadership roles including chapter president. She was a passionate fan of the Detroit Tigers and the University of Michigan football team, attending several bowl games. She was a talented quilter, sewing and quilting over 30 quilts entirely by hand for her home and her family. Over the last 15 years, Ingrid also made and donated hundreds of quilts to children in need. Quilting is a tradition carried on by Ingrid’s beloved daughters.

Ingrid died on October 25, 2024, at the age of 78. She is survived by her husband Tom,  daughters Jessica Haeusler, Rebecca (James Wrona) Haeusler, Sarah (Christopher) Kelley, sisters Louise Knight, Lilian McBroom, Helen Salo and five grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the following organizations.

The Gifted Tree.

Ingrid loved gardens and trees, and she requested to be memorialized with a tree. The Gifted Tree plants trees in Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, near where Ingrid grew up. When you gift a tree, your tree will be planted among thousands of gift trees. There is no plaque designating the gift tree, and it is not possible to provide the exact location of individual trees. But the trees you gift will be in a place special to Ingrid’s heart, and you will know the general area of tree planting (the virtual tour link works on a desktop, but not on your mobile phone).

https://www.thegiftedtree.com/gift-trees-planting-project-michigan/

Click “Plant Trees Now.” Choose a digital eCard or a physical card from the list of “Tributes.” Next, from the list of Tree Planting Locations, select Michigan. Select the number of trees. The Honoree’s name would be Ingrid Haeusler. The Recipient’s name is Haeusler family and Recipient’s email address is   Jmandimehaeusler@gmail.com . Add any additional messages, and click “Add to Cart,” then “Proceed to Shipping and Payment.”

P.E.O.

Ingrid was a dedicated member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, raising funds for women’s education. The Haeusler family recommends donating to the P.E.O. Scholar Award. This award supports a woman completing her doctoral degree. Ingrid’s daughter Rebecca was a recipient of this award in 2006.

To make a gift, please make checks out to:

P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter BI

Checks should be mailed to the chapter treasurer, 

Kathy Trock

62444 Branford drive

West Bloomfield MI 48322