Obit: Haas, Melburn J. (1919 -  2008)

Contact: Lisa Winner Haas

Email: lwinner2@verizon.net

Surnames: Haas, Banderob, LaMarche, Kyle, Hull, Koltis, Gessner, Westaby, Hanson, Bonk-Dopey

----Source: Lisa Haas Scrapbook

 Haas, Melburn J. (21 JUN 1919 - 11 JUL 2008)

MONDAY JULY 14, 2008

STANLEY - Melburn J. Haas, 89, of Stanley, died Friday, July 11, 2008 at Our Lady of Victory Hospital in Stanley.

Mel was born on June 21, 1919 in Thorp, the son of the late Joseph and Anna (Banderob) Haas. He grew up in the Thorp area, went to the Thorp Schools and later worked for a while in the CCC camps during World War II. On Aug. 25, 1941 he married Bernice LaMarche at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Stanley. The couple lived in Thorp, and Mel worked at the Blue Moon Cheese Factory Co. for a while. Later they lived and farmed in the town of Edson until 1947 when the family moved to the town of Delmar where they continued farming. After he retired from farming, the couple moved to the town of Thorp where Mel was the town chairman for over 25 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Stanley Rod and Gun Club, and a former member of the Chippewa County Board where he was instrumental on the Otter Lake Dam Project. As a pastime, he enjoyed making wood, deer hunting, fishing and spending time in the outdoors.

He is survived by: his wife of 66 years, Bernice of Stanley; Roger (Lorelei) Haas of Chicago, Judy Kyle of Grinnell, Iowa, Keith (Karen) Haas of River Falls, Gale (Carolyn) Haas of Chippewa Falls, Terrance (Diane) Haas of Ham Lake, Minn., Ronald (Karen) Haas of Stanley, Pamela (Robert) Westaby of Stanley, Patrick Haas of Thorp, 40 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; three sisters, Marion (Ed) Hull of Stanley, Pat (Adolph) Koltis of Thorp and Ethel (James) Gessner of Chippewa Falls; and one brother, Jim (Tommye) Haas of Burlington. Mel is preceded in death by: his parents; two sons, Kenneth and Michael and twins in infancy; one grandson, Kenneth Haas; one granddaughter, Lacey Westaby; one brother, Dean Haas; and four sisters, Vilas Hanson, Ruth Bonk-Dopey and Joyce and Alice Haas.

A funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 14 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Stanley. Father Robert Nelson will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends and family may call from 4 to 8 on Sunday at the Plombon Funeral Home in Stanley and one hour before Mass on Monday at the funeral home.