Lyda Haskins 08/26/2025

Lyda Beatrice (Molle) Haskins (99) died on August 26, 2025, at The Sycamore, her home for the past two years, in River Falls, Wisconsin. Lyda was born in Niagara, Wisconsin, December 27th, 1925, the fifth of Elizabeth Thoune and Louis Joseph Molle’s nine children.

Lyda graduated from Niagara High School in 1943 and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin in Madison where she joined the first class of students in the newly developed occupational therapy program.  She loved the program due to the heavy focus on medical science, psychology, arts and crafts.

To support herself, Lyda worked nights at a battery factory and waitressed at a small café on University Avenue. It was there that she met Paul Haskins, the love of her life.

She and Paul married in 1947. Once Paul finished his medical residency in Marshfield, WI they relocated their small family to the West coast while Paul fulfilled his obligation to the Navy Medical Corps.

Lyda and Paul chose to return to their home state of Wisconsin and settle in River Falls in 1952 when Paul accepted a position as a family physician in the community. Together, they raised nine children in River Falls. Lyda was the consummate homemaker, in many ways a woman of her times. Her priority was always creating a healthy and happy home for her children and family.

A woman of many talents, Lyda played the piano by ear, painted original oils, designed and made clothing, and designed her own homes. She loved art of all types and sought to make the world a better and more beautiful place. Her creativity and artistic flair came through in everything she did.

Lyda lived her life with intention. She was never afraid to take on a challenge and approached each project with enthusiasm, diligence, and care. She will be remembered for her determination, and her strong, indomitable will. Whatever she put her mind to, she did. Her children will be forever grateful to her for encouraging them to be who they are, to be creative, and to live their own lives with intention.

Lyda was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her eldest daughter Katie (Haskins) Chaffee and granddaughter Josephine (Chaffee) Baumann. She is survived by her children Jennifer (Ron) Nelson, Lisa (Bruce) Wachholz, Jody (John) O’Grady, Shelly (Jon) Mueller, Alison (David) Page, Kevin (Cindy) Haskins, Gina Haskins, and Paul (Sally) Haskins. She also leaves twenty-five grandchildren and forty-one great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents of the Sycamore, Adoray Home Health and Hospice, and Dr. Ben Morgan for the loving care provided to Lyda during her later years.

Memorials preferred to the River Falls Community Arts Base http://www.riverfallscab.org, Adoray Home Health and Hospice, or Friends of Lake Wingra http://www.lakewingra.org.