Kristin S. Hakala

Kristin S. Hakala, 48, of New Ipswich and formerly of Atlanta, GA, died peacefully on August 26, 2021 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH after a four-month struggle with pulmonary fibrosis. Kristin received the very best care at Dartmouth for which we will be forever thankful.

Kristin was born in Fitchburg, MA on June 7, 1973, the daughter of ‘Bill’ and Linda (Brush) Hakala. She grew up at the Monadnock Bible Conference in Jaffrey, and was active in 4H and the Pony Club, as well as with the Jaffrey Bible Church Youth Group.

Kristin graduated from Dublin Christian Academy and went on to attend colleges in Georgia. She earned a BA in Psychology from Emory University, and an MA from Bernal University in hospital administration. Always wanting a challenge, she participated in dressage, quiz bowl, and debate in high school and college.

After college she worked at Laurelwood Hospital and then Anchor Hospital in Atlanta in marketing. Kristin had been living in South Carolina prior to coming home to New Hampshire. She had a joyful loving spirit and a desire to help anyone in need. Kristin held various volunteer positions, including serving with the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta’s Horse Therapy Program. She made friends everywhere she went and had a special interest in helping people with mental health issues. Kristin trusted in Jesus as her Savior, and while in New Hampshire, she attended Hope Fellowship Church in Jaffrey.

Kristin was preceded in death by her father, Arthur ‘Bill’ Hakala.

She is survived by her son Courtland; her mother, Linda Hakala; her 3 sisters, Karen Olsson (Chris), Susan Hakala and Elisabeth Hakala, as well as by her nieces and nephews, Amberley Emery, Heather Ketola, William Olsson, Luke Hakala Dude, Sage Austin, Bella Austin and Drake Hakala.

Family will gather at 9:30 on Saturday, September 4, 2021 in Smithville Cemetery on Binney Hill Road in New Ipswich where Kristin will be buried next to her father.

A Memorial Service for Kristin will follow the burial at 11:00 am in Hope Fellowship Church, 16 Prescott Road, Jaffrey, NH 03452.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be made to the Gates Recovery Center PO Box 31, New Ipswich, NH 03071