Frank Haar 1856-1929

HAAR, SORGENFREIL, SORGENFREI, NEILSON, PETERSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/30/2011 at 19:53:28

Frank Haar is Suicide Victim
Funeral Rites Held Here Friday
Frank Haar, former resident of this community, and father of George Haar and Mrs. Mary Peterson of Estherville, took his own life Aug. 20 at the home of his son, Peter, at Fulda, Minn. His body was found by his son in the hay mow, where he had hung himself to a rafter. He was 70 years of age.

Despondency over ill health is thought to have caused him to commit suicide. Until five years ago he had enjoyed excellent health and was unusually active. In 1924 he suffered a breakdown, however, and since then he was uneasy because of his health.

Funeral services for Mr. Haar were conducted Friday by the Rev. Mandasger of Graettinger here and burial was made in the Eastside cemetery.

Frank Haar was born Aug. 13, 1857 [1856 per cemetery records], in Denmark, and came to the United States in 1880, settling at Decatur, Ill. Seven years later he moved to Alta, where he was united in marriage to Hannah Marie Sorgenfreil.

In 1885 they moved to a farm near Primghar, where they resided until 1911, when he moved with his family to a farm northeast of Estherville. The family moved in 1914 to Lime Creek, Minn., where he lived until 1926, when Mrs. Haar died. He then retired and moved back to Estherville.

Mr. Haar is survived by four children, Mrs. Anna Neilson of the vicinity of Wallingford, Mrs. Mary Peterson of Estherville, George Haar of Estherville, and Peter Haar of Fulda, Minn., and a brother, Nels Haar of Alta. He was preceded in death by his wife and a daughter. Mr. Haar had many friends in this community who will miss him greatly. (Estherville News, Estherville, IA, August 29, 1929)