Herman and family,
Betty and I have you and your family in our prayers. It was always such a joy and pleasure to see and share time with you and Oletha at the UCC Pension Visitors events.
You were always so welcoming and gracious to us. She is missed, but may the sense of the presence of the risen Christ and the remembrances of her life continue to help you in this time of sorrow. Love, Betty and Bill Bertsch.

Mrs. Haller was a wonderful teacher for our son, Corey, who had autism. She was so kind and understanding with him. We also saw her at church-related and Leaven Retreat Center events. She was a strong woman and a great contributor to many causes for justice. She is an inspiration to us all.

Oletha was someone that I admired growing up. She was one of the "big" girls that we all looked up to. She will be missed but she has left a wonderful legacy. Condolences to the entire family. May The Lord bless and keep all of you. 
Brenda Morgan and the entire Morgan family--Marshall , TX

Dear Herman and Family,

I am holding all of you in my prayers and in my heart. This world has lost a wise and beautiful woman. I draw comfort knowing that Oletha's spirit dwells in God and will live on in all of us whose lives she touched and enriched. 

I love the photograph that you chose for this website because the abundant love and joy that shone through Oletha are so evident in this picture. 

She loved her family and spoke with such pride about her precious children and grandchildren. I know you will miss her loving embrace, the abundant meals she prepared, the joy she had in seeing you, the wise counsel she offered, and so much more. 

I had the great honor of working with Oletha when I was co-director, with Eleanor Morrison, of Leaven. Oletha was the longest serving and most faithful member of the Leaven board of directors. She also co-chaired the capital campaign that enabled us to start the Leaven Center. To work with her in that capacity was a joy and a privilege. 
I witnessed time and again how people of all ages were drawn to Oletha and confided in her, knowing that she would honor confidences and respond with wisdom and compassion.

I wholeheartedly trusted and respected Oletha's judgment. I often consulted with her, seeking her perspective and wisdom in challenging situations. She was a mediating presence in the midst of controversy. She had the ability to listen attentively and accurately to others and then to communicate her own convictions with directness and honesty. She also helped us plan beautiful rituals like the opening of the Leaven Center Lodge and the celebration held when my mother retired as Leaven co-director.
 
Oletha's faith was deep and her passion for justice unending. She faithfully served her beloved United Church of Christ in so many different ways for so many years -- locally, regionally, and nationally. 

Oletha's humor was also a great gift. I'll always remember the times when something struck one or the other of us as funny, we started giggling, and then dissolved in laughter. 

I am profoundly grateful to have known Oletha. I will miss her dearly. Thanks be to God for her life and witness. 

With love and gratitude,

Melanie Morrison

Our condolences to the Haller family on your loss. God bless!

The Hailey Family.

Dear Herman & Family ~
 As news of Oletha's passing wings its way across the miles, I join with the earthly and celestial chorus in singing gratitude and praise for this one who is precious in our sight. It was my honor to serve with Oletha on the Leaven Board, and keeping company with her in this work for two decades. A woman filled with passion, love, faith, and conviction as she shared her love of teaching, her love for Herman, her children and grandchildren. I am so grateful that our life paths entwined over the years. Thank you all so much for sharing her with others of us. Thank you Oletha for all your largess of spirit and life! ~ Kahlil Gibran said, "When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." ~ I hold you all in Spirit's light during this time. Thanks be to God for this precious one, Oletha, who remains our delight.
Whitney Brown

Dear Herman,: our hearts are saddened, yet joyfilled, knowing that Oletha's death leaves a large void and that you two were blessed as true partners on life's amazing journey. May peace and hope surround you in your grieving and discernment of God's next steps for you. Shalom, John and Nancy Rohde

Dear Sherry, Audrey and Alan,

This is a sad time for you, as it is for all who loved your Mom. Barbara and I, and our sons, Andy, Greg and Chris, are all thinking of you and feel we are with you these days even though we live in distant places. I'd like to share a few thoughts about your mother although all of you were blessed to have known her so much better than I.

I met you, your Mom and Dad, in 1977 after you moved from Milwaukee to Lansing. You guys were really young then. I hope you've enjoyed growing up in Michigan because I'm one of those responsible for your having moved there almost forty years ago. 

I felt very lucky to have persuaded your Dad to join me as my working colleague and close companion on the Michigan Conference staff. Your Dad and I not only shared offices in East Lansing, but ministries with a team of other colleagues scattered around the state of Michigan. We knew our share of joys and not a few challenges. Together, we somehow prevailed.

I remember how our two families enjoyed one another's company during those years. We were in each other's homes, enjoyed meals at each other's tables and played together. It was fun to be together. And, as I recall, one of your first dogs came from a litter of our pups -- a litter where no two pups had the slightest resemblance to one another! How did that happen?

It was my perception that your Mother, Oletha, was the near-perfect mother. I say "near-perfect" because I know no one is perfect. But, I knew no imperfections in this delightful woman. In her relationship with you, I witnessed her acceptance of you, combined with a deep understanding and resilience. She encouraged you to excel, and excel you have! She served as your family's wisdom teacher.

Oletha Haller was also the near-perfect spouse. She was always supportive of you, Herman, during tough, tough times. She listened intently which was one of her most beautiful gifts. Sometimes she served to interpret situations and people and enlightened you in new understandings. Often she was your secret inspiration. Always she was loyal to you and to your mission. As I said to you over the phone yesterday, Herman, you were one very lucky man to have had such a wonderful life-long companion.

We all know that Oletha was so much more than mother and spouse. She was a master teacher who did cutting-edge work. She imparted the Truth of Life in undeniable ways. She displayed a non-anxious presence to her students and a responsible team player to her colleagues.

She was a committed churchwoman, a dedicated feminist, an accomplished conversationalist -- such a rarity in these days. Her secret was to listen far more than she talked. She volunteered her time and talents in so many different directions.

But I will always remember your mother, Sherry, Audrey and Alan, as someone who was such fun to be around. I remember her hearty laughter upon hearing a good joke. I celebrate her sharp mind and wit. And the sparkle in her sensitive, compassionate eyes. And, yes, I remember her warm embraces which conveyed to one and all that here was a friend worthy of our devotion and trust.

Oletha was a woman who, as they say, was comfortable in her own skin. But she was also comfortable in the company and presence of others regardless of their stature. She was the perfect hostess, but also, could be the perfect guest.

Here is a woman -- mother, spouse, teacher and ever so much more -- who will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Go well, sister Oletha. And thank you for sharing your journey with us.

John & Barbara Rogers
Claremont, California

The Staff and Local Churches of the Michigan Conference of the United Church of Christ join in offering sympathy and condolences to the Haller Family on the loss of their dear Oletha.
Sincerely,
Campbell Lovett
Conference Minister

THE ROLLIN FAMILY purchased the Peaceful White Lilies Basket for the family of Oletha Audrey Haller.

Herman, We will hold you in the light, and hold dear the memory of Oletha, a great and generous spirit. Peace, my friend. Rev. Doug Van Doren

We regret that we cannot be there to celebrate the life of one on Gods special angels. Aunt Letha is an angel sent by God to touch the lives of many with her sweet God-like spirit. We can remember in her travels to Texas, she made stops in every Texas City that has family members just for visits to offer words of encouragement and spread love. The voice of our angel is now silent; she is now but only a wilted rose, it's fragrance a reminder of her loving and caring ways. Our memories of her sweet spirit will remain in our hearts. Uncle Herman and cousins know that others are greiving with you because of the loss but also celebrating a life well lived and she is now with her heavenly father. 

Love and Blessings,
Gloria & Faye
Missouri City, Tx

Dear Herman and Friends,

 

 Soon after Dr. Haller's phone call today conveying the sad news of Oletha's death, as well as recalling wonderful memories

from the past, an old song and melody came to mind out of nowhere -- sung every year at midnight in nearly every country of

the world on New Year's Eve, written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns:

 

 Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

 Should old acquaintance be forgot, and auld land syne?

 For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,

 We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. 
 ( Scottish for "days gone by" or "long, long ago.")

 

 In 1981, my wife Grace and I moved to the UCC church in Chelsea, MI, and Dr. Haller, as Association Minister, was there to install me

as pastor. Through the years, we worked as partners in ministry, first as Association Council members, and later on the Church and

Ministry Committee and other Association programs. We shared some interesting, unforgettable moments and experiences! Throughout those years,

I came to have the highest respect for his abilities, his kindness and skill with people, and his dedicated love for the Church. And his

family ranked uppermost in his many loves -- especially that for his wife Oletha, whom he often referred to with a smile of pride and gratitude.

For she was an outstanding example of beauty of character and skill - skill in so many areas.

 

 Her passing leaves "a lonesome place against the sky," as a poet wrote about Abraham Lincoln. The Gospel of John opens with a description

of the coming Savior, and contains a phrase, in Goodspeed's translation, which, with a pronoun change, reads: "From (her) abundance we have

all received, blessing upon blessing." J.B. Phillips has it: "Every one of us has shared in (her) riches. There is grace upon our lives because

of (her) love." What is true of our Lord Jesus Christ is also true of Oletha Haller.

 

 May the Gospel, the Good News, of peace, justice, and redemption, which was proclaimed by the prophets of old and by God's Son,

and surely lived faithfully by God's servant, and who has inherited eternal life through God's love, be our hope and comfort, now and forevermore. 

 

 Sincerely, Erv and Grace Koch, a former pastor of St. Paul's UCC, Chelsea, MI. & fellow ex-Annuitant Visitor, UCC Pension Bds.

 Brunswick, OH

 

P.S. FRIENDSHIP

 Friendship is the greatest asset in the world. Wealth, Success, and all the honors that one can obtain 

 do not compare to the happiness and the pride of having one good, loyal friend.

The Reverend Haller and the families of Oletha Audrey Haller, I am James Lyles, a colleague and friend of Herman and Oletha. I met the Haller family when we both, in the ministry of the church and our commitment to God, came to Milwaukee to labor in the vineyard of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me say upfront that I came to know Oletha as a good and decent person when I met her in 1972. She and Reverend Haller, at that time, were young adults with young children which provided Oletha an opportunity to demonstrate her abiding strength and character of a dedicated spouse and mother for her young children.. She was faithful to her husband as a partner and friend and to her children as loving mother. 

Today when we look at her family, her husband who has served as Bishop of Associations all over this country; her children, who they are and what they have become. Who they are and what they have become are testimonies to the goodness and strength of Oletha Audrey Haller. She loved her church and worked diligently to make it a creative witness in her family and community.

She was a well qualified public school teacher, knowing each child by name and treating each as if he or she were her very own. When my son, Marquis, was having difficulty with algebra, Oletha became his tutor and after a few sessions he was on his way. Today in Royal Oaks he has his tutoring service- tutoring math. A testimony to her scholarship.

She was a giving and outgoing person. Yes, she took care of her family, her class and Fellowship Church Milwaukee but her vision extended beyond herself and her concerns. She had a vision for a global ministry to all people, everywhere there was a need. She was a delegate to the 2013 General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Through the mission and ministry of this Synod, she . reached around the world, every day to people in need. She was a member of the Leaven Board whose mission and ministry was to find and lift up people and encourage them "to be all that they could be." Finally, she served on the Board of Crossroad, structure that helps people embrace "individual differences." 
 Oletha, crowned jewel of family and friends,
 This is your day.
 We have come to say good by,
 But only for a while.
 Soon and very soon, we too will join
 The caravan of saints and march into the kingdom

James V. Lyles, retired pastor

johnny &renee epps & family purchased the Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum for the family of Oletha Audrey Haller.

Anadarko Rockies Legal Team purchased the Sunny Memories for the family of Oletha Audrey Haller.

Love, Michael and Jill Edwards ad family purchased the Sweet Tenderness for the family of Oletha Audrey Haller.

My condolences to the family of Mrs. Haller. I can tell that she was loved by and touched the lives of many. One thing that has always comforted me at the loss of a loved one is to remember that our Heavenly Father has the power to resurrect and restore life to those in his memory. And He also promises to in the future "swallow up death forever, and certainly wipe the tears from all faces."(Isaiah 25:8) Hold on to all your happy memories.

Lauren Haller Fontaine & Michael Fontaine purchased the Heavenly Grace Spray for the family of Oletha Audrey Haller.

Felicia, Joshua, Isaiah & Evan Wasson purchased the Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum for the family of Oletha Audrey Haller.

E&P Surface Land Team purchased the Sentiments of Serenity Spray for the family of Oletha Audrey Haller.

Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Oletha Audrey Haller.

Crossroad Child & Family Services was honored to have Oletha serve for nine years on our Board of Directors. She was a great lady with a heart for service. We celebrate her life and mourn her passing.

My heart aches for the loss of Oletha. She was vibrant and very active. She was very genuine in her interactions with me. I am speechless at the thought of losing a mother. The coming weeks and days will be hard. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." 

Jeffrey & Shannon Dacus

What a great picture! Seems Oletha was always smiling or at least thinking the best of us all. 
Rev. Haller and family, you are in my prayers, in the prayers of the Michigan Conference UCC, and in my family's prayers. 
Blessings on this journey of grieving and remembering and celebrating a life well lived.
Rev. Cheryl Burke

Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Oletha Audrey Haller.

Dear Rev. Haller and family: My deepest, sincerest condolences on your great loss. I pray you may find peace and comfort in your beautiful memories of Oletha.

OBITUARY

Oletha Audrey Haller

May 4, 1937 – July 26, 2014

Gorsline Runciman Tiffany Chapel

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