Rhonda Lynn Haller

Rhonda Lynn Haller, 71, of Spring Arbor, MI passed away on January 14, 2024, with her husband and daughter by her side. Rhonda was born to Claude Edwin and Beverley Lucille (Patton) Sutter on July 2, 1952 in Traverse City, MI. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Richard Haller; daughter Alicia (Brandon) Beck; and grandchildren Asher and Temperance Beck. She is preceded in death by her parents Claude and Beverley Sutter.  Rhonda was raised on a dairy farm in northern Michigan. As a typical farm girl, she enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities including skiing, 4-H (Key Award winner), camp counseling, and riding her Welsh pony, Champ. In high school, she developed a passion for the arts and took an active interest in sculpture, pottery, and painting. This love for artistic creation followed her into adulthood.

After graduating from Elk Rapids High School in 1970, she married a handsome young sailor by the name of Richard (Jim) Haller on April 15, 1972 at the Elk Rapids Methodist Church. Money was tight in those early years of marriage, which gave her an opportunity to finetune her skill in gardening, canning/dehydration, and raising chickens. It was also during this time that she became fascinated in the restoration of antique furniture and began “rescuing” other people’s junk that could be salvaged and restored to its original beauty.  Richard and Rhonda both recognized the value of education, and Rhonda prided herself on being the first of her family to graduate from college. She and her husband first decided to pursue an advanced education together at Northwestern Michigan College where Rhonda received an Associate Degree in Commerce. They then transferred to Ferris State (College) University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business (Data Processing), and eventually a Master of Science in Occupational Education (Highest Distinction) 

She began her professional career as a Computer Analyst at one of the largest designer of nuclear power plants in the US, Gilbert/Commonwealth. While working at Gilbert Commonwealth, Rhonda also worked as an adjunct professor at Jackson Community College (JCC). It was not long before the college offered her a fulltime position in the fields of Data Processing, Desktop Publishing, Computer Graphics, and Typography. She ended her career at JCC as a Professor, Faculty Advisor, and Departmental Chairperson for Business/Data Processing.

Richard and Rhonda’s only child, Alicia, was born in 1980. Rhonda was an active mother and took great pride in being involved in her daughter’s sports, academics, and musical interests; serving as a PTA president and co-president of the Jackson Swim Club. In her later years, Rhonda enjoyed many forms of art including photography, wood carving, painting, and pottery. With her husband, she visited almost all of the National Parks and major cities in the U.S. and went on roughly 35 cruises to the Caribbean Islands and Central American coastline.

Last, but not least, one of her proudest accomplishments was being called “Grandma”. Rhonda was able to attend the birth of both of her grandchildren and was always excited to share her love of nature and art with them. She took pictures of the grandkids wherever they went and told everyone she met about her amazing and talented grandchildren.  Rhonda will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024 at Watson Funeral Chapel, 2590 Spring Arbor Rd, Jackson, MI 49203). Visitation will be held from 10:00am - 11:00am with a formal service to follow 11:00am - 12:00pm. A reception will follow immediately after at Encounter Church (620 Robinson Rd, Jackson, MI 49203).  

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