Magdalin Haas, was born January 17, 1907 in Szulok, Hungary, the daughter of Stephen and Christine (Krainer) Haas. The family emigrated to America around 1915, entering Ellis Island, NY. Stephen arriving first, followed a while later by Christine and the two daughters, Mary Magdalena, (Magdalin) and Julie.
The family resided in Chicago, then moved to St. Ansgar, where Stephen started a blacksmith business in the present Allstate Insurance building on the main street (Fourth Street) of St. Ansgar. They lived above the business. After graduation from St. Ansgar High School, Magdalin returned to Chicago and completed her Nurse's Training at Washington Boulevard Hospital (now known as "Rush") in 1929. After graduation, she worked at several Chicago area hospitals, including West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park. While in Oak Park, she lived several years with her brother-in-law's sister, Hertha Fleischer (also formerly of St. Ansgar).
Magdalin took on special nursing assignments as a 24-hour live-in nurse for seriously ill patients. She frequently would drop what she was doing and go wherever she was needed, many times caring for young children. To this day several people across the country, adoringly call her their "Aunt Magdalin"!
Upon retiring from active nursing in Chicago, in 1957 due to health reasons, she lived in her mom's house in St. Ansgar. She became active in the St. Ansgar Catholic Church, and helped start the Senior Saints Citizen Center in St. Ansgar. She enjoyed taking care of her neighbor's children, gardening and going on long walks around town. She also enjoyed helping the elderly by getting their mail and food. She walked uptown daily ... in all weather (including below zero) -- refusing every offer of a ride. She spent her final seven years at the Good Samaritan Center -- where all the staff loved her pleasant, cheerful personality.
She died Monday, February 10, 2003 at the St. Ansgar Good Samaritan Center, after a bout with the flu. She was age 96. Inurnment was in the St. Ansgar Cemetery.