Obituaries

Abigail Mary (Langendorf) Haarala, born on June 16, 1971, to James and the late Patricia (Carr) Langendorf, peacefully passed away on January 12, 2026 with loved ones by her side. She had been receiving liver cancer treatment at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI.

Abby was a true ball of fire—someone everyone instantly loved. She always had a smile on her face, and she knew how to bring laughter to the toughest moments in life. Abby could talk to literally anyone and make them feel special and cared for.

From her early childhood spent with friends and family in the Radar subdivision to her cheerleader days in middle school and high school, she made lifelong friends in every corner of her life. Throughout her entire life, Abby always displayed a special spark and a zest for life. With her contagious laugh and bright smile, she touched so many people with her kindness and light.

Abby was always on the move. She never left the house unprepared, always toting an overstuffed snack bag filled with “gotta have” things like beer salt and flavor packets for her besties. No one phrased things quite like Abby did, from “check, check double check” and “Jesus take the wheel” to “wackadoodle” dogs and “zoomies” on the jet ski. Every adventure was accompanied by one of her silly sound effects and a big smile.

At work, Abby excelled for nearly 15-years in educational technology sales, always earning a place at the top of the sales leaderboard. Abby did not win awards and recognitions just because she worked hard, but because she made genuine friendships with her clients.

In recent years, Abby moved back to her hometown of Sault Ste. Marie where she worked remotely from her new home on the river. She soaked up every day of summer, passing the days jet-skiing and getting ridiculously tan with her besties as they cruised the St. Mary’s! On and off the river, Abby was the heart of her friend group, always ready to drop everything for a friend who needed her. Never one to sit still, she surrounded herself with friends and family, striving to fill every moment with the joys and passion of life.

Above all else, Abby’s greatest joy was her children, Pyper and Jack, who were truly everything to her. When they were babies, she refused to ever set them down, wanting to soak in every moment. She stayed home to raise them and filled every day with magic, inventing games and lounging at the pool and baking after school treats. She knew everything about every single one of their friends.

At their high school, she ran every parents’ club imaginable: the band, the debate team, the show choir, the basketball team, the track team, the trap team. No one else would have been able to get it quite right for her kids. She was their biggest cheerleader as they began their adult lives, visiting them at college whenever they needed and spending hours with them on the phone when things got tough. Abby encouraged her kids to love life and explore the world, promising she would one day live in a ‘Mother-in-law Shack’ in their backyards if they ever moved too far away. Abby raised her children in Omaha, Nebraska, where she found community with other moms, spending many evenings golfing or eating chips and salsa.

Abby was predeceased by her maternal grandparents; John Carr Sr and Emma Carr, paternal grandparents; Cecil and Josephine Langendorf, mother; Patricia (Carr) Langendorf, her uncles Johnny Carr Jr and Richard (Dick) Langendorf, and her aunt Marilynn DeGrood.

Abby is survived by her children; Pyper Haarala (Adam Beer) of Denver, CO and Jack Haarala of Omaha, NE; her father, James B. Langendorf of Sugar Island, MI; her brothers, Michael Langendorf (Loni LeBlanc) of Brimley, MI, James (Maria) Langendorf of Franklin, Ohio; her former husband John Haarala of Omaha, NE; sister in-laws, Lori Langendorf of Sault Ste Marie, MI, Jill (Jason) Rickard, Heather Haarala, and brother in-law Jeff Haarala, all of Brighton, MI. Abby was a loving, caring and always goofy aunt to the nieces and nephews she leaves behind; Conner, Sydney, Darren, Carrie, Michael, Jessica, Davis, Ava, Matthew, Madison and her newest (great) nephew Holden—whom to all she is fondly known as everyone’s favorite aunt.

Abby also leaves behind her many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins from her extended family, with whom she made many special bonds with throughout her life. Her extended family surrounded her with love and support during her recent illness. She also leaves behind her truly unforgettable and loving “Besties” friend group who have been by her side for so very long, and her beloved, sweet, and silly dog Minka.

Abby’s vibrant spirit, generous heart, and love for her family and friends will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all those who were blessed to know her.

Memorial services in celebration of Abigail’s life:
Where: Niigaanagiizhik Ceremonial Building, 11 Ice Circle, Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783
Date/Time: Saturday, January 24th, 2026 beginning with family visitation from 8am to 10am and open visitation from 10am to 12pm. Memorial services will commence at 12pm, with a luncheon held in Abigail’s honor immediately to follow.

The family has entrusted Abigail’s care to Keehn-Griffin Funeral Home, 706 W. Main Street, Brighton, Michigan.

Friends and loved ones are invited to share a condolence or special memory of Abigail with her family by signing her online obituary/guestbook.

Condolences may be left at www.familylifefh.com.