Haahr, Stanley Hansen 1915-2005

HAAHR, HANSEN, LAGRANGE, MCDOWELL, WALTERS, BUMP, MOORE, SMITH, MEYER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/3/2014 at 09:14:10

Stanley H. Haahr - Oct. 10, 1915 - Mar. 2, 2005

Stanley H. Haahr, age 89, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at Trinity Regional Hospital in Fort Dodge.

Stanley Hansen Haahr, son of Viggo and Sena (Hansen) Haahr, was born on October 10, 1915, in rural Alta, Iowa. He attended school at Highview Country School and graduated in 1932. Following high school, Stan attended Buena Vista College and earned a degree in 1936. After graduation from Buena Vista College, Stan continued his education at the University of Iowa Grad School.

On June 6, 1938, Stan was united in marriage to Virginia LaGrange in Storm Lake. They were blessed with two children: Jim and Barbara. Following Virginia’s passing, Stan married Billie McDowell on July 18, 1992, in Lake Park, Iowa.

Stan worked as a school teacher and administrator from 1936-1946. During WWII, he assisted the military in building airplanes. He was President of Buena Vista Abstract & Mortgage Company from 1947-1975. He founded Storm Lake Savings and Loan Association in 1954, now known as MetaBank, where he served on the Board of Directors from 1954-1990 and served as Chairman of the Board from 1981-1990. He also co-founded the Storm Lake Industrial Development Corporation and Lake Creek Country Club. In addition, he was a member of the Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce and served as an Elder in his church. He is a charter member of Order of the Arch and founding chairperson of the Cornerstone Guard at Buena Vista University.

Being not only a distinguished educator, banker and philanthropist, he was a volunteer receiving awards for his tireless dedication to his alma mater. In 1991, Stan was awarded the Henry Olson Distinguished Service Award at Buena Vista University.

During his lifetime, Stan enjoyed good music, golfing, fishing, restoring antique cars (SERPACI Car Club), watching sports and dancing. He demonstrated a true zest for life and lived by his simple philosophy, “You’ve just gotta take care of the people.”

Above all, Stan was a loving son, husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa.

Preceding Stan in death were his parents Viggo and Sena Haahr and his first wife Viginia.

He is survived by his wife Billie of Storm Lake; son Jim Haahr and wife Gretchen of Storm Lake; daughter Barbara Walters and husband Ron of Storm Lake; grandchildren: Karen Bump and husband Jeff of Panora, Tyler Haahr and wife Michelle of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Ellen Moore and husband Troy of Clive, Dave Walters and wife Dr. Sue Walters of Glenwood, Dan Walters of Des Moines, Deb Walters-Smith and husband Chris of Rochester, Minnesota; great grandchildren: Mason, Allison and Jenna Bump of Panora, Lauren and Alec Haahr of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Matthew, Kate, Sarah and Julia Moore of Clive, Max and Anna Walters-Smith of Rochester, Minnesota; one sister Virginia Meyer of Alta; as well as extended family and friends.

Funeral Service will be Saturday, March 5, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake with Reverend Duane Queen officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Alta. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call anytime after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2005, at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake where family will greet friends from 6-8:00 p.m.

Copyright © 2005, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home