Edward Charles Haas

Edward "Eddie" C. Haas, 91, of Marysville, passed away Monday, February 9, 2009, at the Beatrice Manor in Beatrice, NE. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 13, at the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Marysville. The Rev. Judy Scott officiated. Deb Landoll played the organ while Saundra Haas sang “Amazing Grace” and “God Bless The USA”. The congregation sang, “I Am The Light”, “On Eagles Wings” and “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”. Pallbearers were Jerard Haas, Marcus Haas, Jason Throm, Travis Throm, Lucas McClain, and Ronald Haas. Burial was in the Marysville City Cemetery. Eddie was born on October 8, 1917 at Tampa, KS, to Alex and Annie (Mohn) Haas. He was reared in Western Kansas and attended school in Quinter, KS. On December 4, 1942, he was united in marriage to Eileen Luehring. Eddie left home to begin working on a Civilian Conservation Camp in Grand Rapids, Minnesota building Ice Houses. In 1938 he moved to Marysville and worked for Henry Johannes on the Johannes Family Farm. In 1940 Eddie enlisted in the Army Air Corps and trained to be an aircraft mechanic. He served 2 years in the Aleutian Islands and received an Honorable Discharge in 1945. In 1946 he returned to Marysville and worked for Bus Vincent. (The building in which he worked for Bus eventually became the family business Haas Auto Repair.) During the daytime he worked for Bus and assisted Dr. J. D. Ropers in building electric lawn mowers in the evening. In 1949 the business was sold to Stuart Mason and the name changed to Winterscheidt-O'Neal Garage. In 1953 Eddie bought the business from W.B. O'Neal. In the early stages of his career he sold cars and ran the repair shop. Approximately 4 years later he stopped selling cars and began building the repair shop of the business. In 1972 Eddie's two sons, Gary and Gregory Haas, bought into the business and worked with their dad for the next 7 years. Eddie retired and sold his shares to his sons in 1979. Eddie was a lifetime member of the Evangelical United Church of Christ, spending countless hours volunteering for the church. He was one of the primary grounds keepers, courtesy driver, usher, and assisted with Holy Communion preparations. Eddie and Eileen spent several years volunteering for the American Legion decorating gravesites on Memorial Day. He was a lifetime member of the VFW. Eddie was Life Time Supporter of the Boy Scouts of America in which he served in various capacities; most notably serving as Scout Master of Troop #132. He played a pivotal role in implementing the first Webelos Den in Troop #132. Eddie and Eileen were active in assisting with the Meals on Wheels program. In 1984 Eddie and Eileen received a most prestigious award when they received the Yard of the Month Award. Eddie spent countless hours in his "World of Beauty and Peacefulness". He and Eileen grew numerous types of flowers, trees, and vegetables. The garden was always filled with peonies, irises, and roses. The summer months always brought a menagerie of scents from their gardens that many have enjoyed over the years. One of the more interesting facts about Eddie is he enjoyed helping and assisting Eileen in the kitchen whether it be cooking a meal, assisting in the canning of food, or to dry the dishes. The marriage of Edward and Eileen Haas was not only that of a relationship between husband and wife but of a beautiful, everlasting friendship? In retirement Eddie enjoyed woodworking projects, one of his favorites was to build birdhouses for his family and friends. Eddie will always be remembered for his love of cards, poker, pitch, UNO, you name it he played it. Survivors include his wife, Eileen; two daughters, Jeanette E McClain of Peoria, AZ, Diane R. Throm of Marysville; two sons Gary E. Haas and Greg A. Haas, both of Marysville; eleven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Ralph, Irvin, and Francis; three sisters, infant Ruth, Lorena Rhodes, and Roma Lea LeBlanc; and grandson, Steven Haas. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edward Charles Haas, please visit our flower store.