Marguerite graduated from St. Teresa College in Winona, MN. She met her future husband, Norbert Haas shortly before graduation. After a year of teaching high school in Pipestone, MN, she married Norbert and moved to his home town of Racine.While in school, Marguerite enjoyed a passion for the liberal arts. In particular, she was drawn to languages and music She studied English, Latin and French, and also played violin in her college orchestra.
Marguerite taught Latin and English at St. Catherine’s High School for 26 years. She retired at the age of 72. Teaching was fun for her. She shared her contagious enthusiasm for learning with her students and developed many lasting friendships.
Friends have characterized her as optimistic. As such, she may be a role model for aging well. After retiring, she volunteered to teach English as a second language in her home to recent immigrants. In later life, she studied conversational Spanish at UW-Parkside and enjoyed the social aspects of group learning.
Marguerite was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and more recently of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She also enjoyed active memberships in AAUW and the Catholic Women’s Club.
Marguerite enjoyed flower gardening, and her efforts were once featured on a local garden tour.
She had the good fortune to travel internationally at an early age and the experiences enriched her as a teacher. As most of her immediate family gradually migrated to the West, she made an annual winter visit to California, generally traveling on her own up to the present time.
Marguerite lived in her own home for over fifty years and at the Atrium for the last four years. Regardless of where she lived, Marguerite loved being surrounded by friends, whether young or old, who shared her spark and looked out for each others' needs.
As Marguerite approached her 97th year, she maintained her instinctive childlike awe over the rising of a full moon, whether it climbed over Lake Michigan or the California mountains. Love of natural beauty was part of her essence.
Marguerite was certainly a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be greatly missed. Her family is grateful for her love and lessons.
Survivors include her children, Nancy (Ed) Staacke, Michael (Eileen) Haas, Bob (Jane) Haas and Jim (Claudia) Haas; her grandchildren, John May, Gus (Auturo Vazquez) May, Kevin (Charlen) May, Eric Haas, Adam Haas, Gabriel Haas, Alejandro Haas; her great-grandchildren, Abbey and Alexandra Vazquez May, Nicole and Jack May; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert Haas; and brothers, Robert (Isabelle) Wise and John (Adele) Wise.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1533 Erie St., on Monday, September 28, 2009, at 11 a.m. with Rev. John D. Aiello officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery, Hwy 31. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to St. Catherine’s High School, St. Vincent De Paul Society, or to one’s favorite charity have been suggested.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all her medical providers, especially to Dr. Dubin and Dr. Short for the many years of attentive care.
MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888
1 comment:
Mrs Haas was one of my favorite English teachers at St Catherines. She was truly excited and had a passion for her subject matter. May God richly bless your family as you adjust.
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