ALGONA - Gerald "Jerry" Haas was born June 22, 1931 in West Bend, Iowa to Herbert and Emma (Ketelsen) Haas. He attended Union Township School #7 until the 8th grade and graduated from Algona High School in 1949.
Jerry served as a corporal in the US Air Force from 1951-1953 before returning to Algona to start farming and marry the love of his life, Jean Ellen Lensing. They were united in marriage on January 26, 1957 at St. Cecelia's Catholic Church in Algona, IA. After their marriage, they lived in Algona before moving to a farm west of town where they lived their entire lives and celebrated almost 52 years of marriage. Jerry partnered with Jean in the raising of their children and the operations of their farm and Pioneer seed dealership. Upon their retirement, they entrusted the farming operation to their nephew Howard Haas who has been an important part of their daily lives.
He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, had a strong faith in God and his family, friends, and farming defined his life.
Jerry always had a warm smile and loved to make new friends. He treasured spending time with his kids and grandchildren, his brothers and extended family, as well as the many friends he made throughout the years. In addition to actively farming, he promoted agriculture through his involvement in the elevator board, Farm Bureau and numerous industry associations. He was a past president of the noon Kiwanis and chaired many of their projects. Jerry loved to golf, fish, travel, and enjoyed his annual reunions with the 5th Communications group (USAF). His love for adventure was apparent after he retired when he attended his first Rolling Stones Concert; white water rafted in Colorado, cruised Alaska, parasailed in Mexico, fished in Canada and explored a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka.
Jerry died peacefully Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by the love of his family following a battle with Merkel Cell Cancer. He is survived by 6 children, Julie & Rex Benz, Sioux Falls, SD; Juanita & Mark Zern, Austin, TX; Jeff & Nancy Haas, Naperville, IL; JoEllen & George Pratt, Cameron, MO; Jacquelin & Chris LeBreck, Naperville, IL; and Ama & Saman Wanniarachchi, Waukesha, WI; 14 grandchildren; brothers and sister-in-laws, James & Maxine Haas and Harlan & Helen Haas of Algona, IA. Also surviving are sister- and brother-in-laws Vern & Diane Lensing of Vista, CA, Elizabeth (Betty) & Kenny Frideres of Algona, IA; Richard & Carol Lensing of Cedar Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Marilyn Lensing of Algona, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry is preceded in death by his wife, Jean, his parents; twin infant sisters, Marva and Margie; a brother, Roland.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 9, from 4-8 p.m. at Oakcrest Funeral Services in Algona. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Dr. Steve Turner officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery.
Jerry served as a corporal in the US Air Force from 1951-1953 before returning to Algona to start farming and marry the love of his life, Jean Ellen Lensing. They were united in marriage on January 26, 1957 at St. Cecelia's Catholic Church in Algona, IA. After their marriage, they lived in Algona before moving to a farm west of town where they lived their entire lives and celebrated almost 52 years of marriage. Jerry partnered with Jean in the raising of their children and the operations of their farm and Pioneer seed dealership. Upon their retirement, they entrusted the farming operation to their nephew Howard Haas who has been an important part of their daily lives.
He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, had a strong faith in God and his family, friends, and farming defined his life.
Jerry always had a warm smile and loved to make new friends. He treasured spending time with his kids and grandchildren, his brothers and extended family, as well as the many friends he made throughout the years. In addition to actively farming, he promoted agriculture through his involvement in the elevator board, Farm Bureau and numerous industry associations. He was a past president of the noon Kiwanis and chaired many of their projects. Jerry loved to golf, fish, travel, and enjoyed his annual reunions with the 5th Communications group (USAF). His love for adventure was apparent after he retired when he attended his first Rolling Stones Concert; white water rafted in Colorado, cruised Alaska, parasailed in Mexico, fished in Canada and explored a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka.
Jerry died peacefully Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by the love of his family following a battle with Merkel Cell Cancer. He is survived by 6 children, Julie & Rex Benz, Sioux Falls, SD; Juanita & Mark Zern, Austin, TX; Jeff & Nancy Haas, Naperville, IL; JoEllen & George Pratt, Cameron, MO; Jacquelin & Chris LeBreck, Naperville, IL; and Ama & Saman Wanniarachchi, Waukesha, WI; 14 grandchildren; brothers and sister-in-laws, James & Maxine Haas and Harlan & Helen Haas of Algona, IA. Also surviving are sister- and brother-in-laws Vern & Diane Lensing of Vista, CA, Elizabeth (Betty) & Kenny Frideres of Algona, IA; Richard & Carol Lensing of Cedar Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Marilyn Lensing of Algona, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry is preceded in death by his wife, Jean, his parents; twin infant sisters, Marva and Margie; a brother, Roland.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 9, from 4-8 p.m. at Oakcrest Funeral Services in Algona. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Dr. Steve Turner officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery.
ALGONA - Gerald "Jerry" Haas was born June 22, 1931 in West Bend, Iowa to Herbert and Emma (Ketelsen) Haas. He attended Union Township School #7 until the 8th grade and graduated from Algona High School in 1949.
Jerry served as a corporal in the US Air Force from 1951-1953 before returning to Algona to start farming and marry the love of his life, Jean Ellen Lensing. They were united in marriage on January 26, 1957 at St. Cecelia's Catholic Church in Algona, IA. After their marriage, they lived in Algona before moving to a farm west of town where they lived their entire lives and celebrated almost 52 years of marriage. Jerry partnered with Jean in the raising of their children and the operations of their farm and Pioneer seed dealership. Upon their retirement, they entrusted the farming operation to their nephew Howard Haas who has been an important part of their daily lives.
He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, had a strong faith in God and his family, friends, and farming defined his life.
Jerry always had a warm smile and loved to make new friends. He treasured spending time with his kids and grandchildren, his brothers and extended family, as well as the many friends he made throughout the years. In addition to actively farming, he promoted agriculture through his involvement in the elevator board, Farm Bureau and numerous industry associations. He was a past president of the noon Kiwanis and chaired many of their projects. Jerry loved to golf, fish, travel, and enjoyed his annual reunions with the 5th Communications group (USAF). His love for adventure was apparent after he retired when he attended his first Rolling Stones Concert; white water rafted in Colorado, cruised Alaska, parasailed in Mexico, fished in Canada and explored a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka.
Jerry died peacefully Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by the love of his family following a battle with Merkel Cell Cancer. He is survived by 6 children, Julie & Rex Benz, Sioux Falls, SD; Juanita & Mark Zern, Austin, TX; Jeff & Nancy Haas, Naperville, IL; JoEllen & George Pratt, Cameron, MO; Jacquelin & Chris LeBreck, Naperville, IL; and Ama & Saman Wanniarachchi, Waukesha, WI; 14 grandchildren; brothers and sister-in-laws, James & Maxine Haas and Harlan & Helen Haas of Algona, IA. Also surviving are sister- and brother-in-laws Vern & Diane Lensing of Vista, CA, Elizabeth (Betty) & Kenny Frideres of Algona, IA; Richard & Carol Lensing of Cedar Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Marilyn Lensing of Algona, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry is preceded in death by his wife, Jean, his parents; twin infant sisters, Marva and Margie; a brother, Roland.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 9, from 4-8 p.m. at Oakcrest Funeral Services in Algona. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Dr. Steve Turner officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery.
Jerry served as a corporal in the US Air Force from 1951-1953 before returning to Algona to start farming and marry the love of his life, Jean Ellen Lensing. They were united in marriage on January 26, 1957 at St. Cecelia's Catholic Church in Algona, IA. After their marriage, they lived in Algona before moving to a farm west of town where they lived their entire lives and celebrated almost 52 years of marriage. Jerry partnered with Jean in the raising of their children and the operations of their farm and Pioneer seed dealership. Upon their retirement, they entrusted the farming operation to their nephew Howard Haas who has been an important part of their daily lives.
He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, had a strong faith in God and his family, friends, and farming defined his life.
Jerry always had a warm smile and loved to make new friends. He treasured spending time with his kids and grandchildren, his brothers and extended family, as well as the many friends he made throughout the years. In addition to actively farming, he promoted agriculture through his involvement in the elevator board, Farm Bureau and numerous industry associations. He was a past president of the noon Kiwanis and chaired many of their projects. Jerry loved to golf, fish, travel, and enjoyed his annual reunions with the 5th Communications group (USAF). His love for adventure was apparent after he retired when he attended his first Rolling Stones Concert; white water rafted in Colorado, cruised Alaska, parasailed in Mexico, fished in Canada and explored a wildlife safari in Sri Lanka.
Jerry died peacefully Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by the love of his family following a battle with Merkel Cell Cancer. He is survived by 6 children, Julie & Rex Benz, Sioux Falls, SD; Juanita & Mark Zern, Austin, TX; Jeff & Nancy Haas, Naperville, IL; JoEllen & George Pratt, Cameron, MO; Jacquelin & Chris LeBreck, Naperville, IL; and Ama & Saman Wanniarachchi, Waukesha, WI; 14 grandchildren; brothers and sister-in-laws, James & Maxine Haas and Harlan & Helen Haas of Algona, IA. Also surviving are sister- and brother-in-laws Vern & Diane Lensing of Vista, CA, Elizabeth (Betty) & Kenny Frideres of Algona, IA; Richard & Carol Lensing of Cedar Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Marilyn Lensing of Algona, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry is preceded in death by his wife, Jean, his parents; twin infant sisters, Marva and Margie; a brother, Roland.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 9, from 4-8 p.m. at Oakcrest Funeral Services in Algona. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Dr. Steve Turner officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
