Haack, Earl B. 1923-2005

HAACK, RUMOHR, KEMP

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/11/2008 at 13:23:11

LE MARS, Iowa -- Earl B. Haack, 81, of Le Mars died Monday, Jan. 31, 2005, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Kevin Richter officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Wasmer Post 241. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. Wednesday, with a rosary at 4 p.m. and a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m., at the church. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Earl was born Dec. 24, 1923, on a farm in Sioux County, Iowa, the son of Claus and Margaret (Rumohr) Haack. He graduated from Remsen Union High School in 1941. He helped his father farm until entering boot camp in Faragut, Idaho. He left for the South Pacific Islands and World War II in December 1943. He was there for 28 months and was discharged in March 1946.

He married Rita Mae Kemp of Oyens, Iowa, on May 14, 1946. They lived in Le Mars ever since. He worked for the Department of Transportation and retired as a supervisor after 40 years.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, a life member of the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Joseph Dickman Post 3325 in Remsen, Iowa.

He got his joy from his grandchildren, spent his time caring for his yard and also spent it swinging on the swing on his son's front porch watching the cars go by.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Mae; six children, Nancy and Garth Ritson of Oklahoma, Marilyn McGranahan of Sioux City, Tom and Kathy Haack of Sioux City, Bonnie and Mike Kidgell of Billings, Mont., Jerry and Lori Haack of Le Mars and Joe and Annie Haack of Phoenix, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; a brother, Charles and Norma Haack of Mount Vernon, Iowa; two sisters, Inez Kettler of Rock Valley, Iowa, and Mildred Smith of Lisbon, Iowa; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claus and Margaret Haack; a sister, Irene Lundgren; and a son-in-law, Tom McGranahan.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal, Feb. 1, 2005--part of the D. Easton Obituary Collection