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Virgil D. Haase May 10 1923 - Oct 02 2010
Funeral services for Virgil Duane Haase, age 87, of Watertown, SD, will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2010, at the Christian Life Assembly of God Church in Watertown. Rev. Cliff Sheldon will officiate. Music will be provided by Sheri Kjetland as pianist and Karen Padget and Mary Sheldon as vocalists. Virgil passed away on Saturday, October 2, 2010, at a care center in Watertown. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Military honors will be provided by Frank H. Adams Post #750 of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, both of Watertown, and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Virgil’s many friends and family. Active pallbearers will be: Mike Davis, Steve Rudebush, Wayne Langenfeld, Dave Pommer, Dell Jacobson, Allen Griepp, John Hessedence, and Mike Boerger. Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Wednesday. The family is requested to meet at the church on Wednesday by 1:00 p.m. for a prayer service. Virgil was born on May 10, 1923, in Brookings County, SD, to John Henry and Bertha (Heath) Haase. Virgil served in the U.S. Army from January 1943 to January 1946. On January 25, 1943, Virgil married Avis B. Ackerman in Pipestone, MN, moving to Watertown later that year. Virgil started working for Seven-Up Bottling Company in 1948 as a truck driver and worked his way up to management. After 31 years with Seven-Up, he went to work for the Watertown School District for 10 years before retiring. Virgil and Avis spent many winters in Las Vegas with family and friends. Virgil rode motorcycle for many years and in 1960 he became known as "Mr. Motorcycle of South Dakota”. Avis passed away in 1999. He was a member of the Christian Life Church, VFW, and was a life member of the American Legion. Virgil was always there to do anything he could to help his family and friends. Virgil is survived by three sons: Richard (Dawn) Haase of Sioux Falls, SD, Randy (Sharon) Haase of Watertown, SD, and Robin (Deb) Haase of Concord, NC; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Russel (Hilda) Haase, of Lander, WY; three sisters-in-law: Betty (Chester) Ellyson, Karen (James) Vlieger, and Betty Ackerman; one brother-in-law, Robert (Nancy) Ackerman; and his special friend, Virginia Walraven, and her family. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Avis; his parents; and two brothers.

Virgil D. Haase
May 10 1923 - Oct 02 2010

Funeral services for Virgil Duane Haase, age 87, of Watertown, SD, will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6, 2010, at the Christian Life Assembly of God Church in Watertown. Rev. Cliff Sheldon will officiate. Music will be provided by Sheri Kjetland as pianist and Karen Padget and Mary Sheldon as vocalists. Virgil passed away on Saturday, October 2, 2010, at a care center in Watertown.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Military honors will be provided by Frank H. Adams Post #750 of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, both of Watertown, and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Virgil’s many friends and family. Active pallbearers will be: Mike Davis, Steve Rudebush, Wayne Langenfeld, Dave Pommer, Dell Jacobson, Allen Griepp, John Hessedence, and Mike Boerger.

Visitation will be at the Crawford Funeral Chapel on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Wednesday. The family is requested to meet at the church on Wednesday by 1:00 p.m. for a prayer service.

Virgil was born on May 10, 1923, in Brookings County, SD, to John Henry and Bertha (Heath) Haase. Virgil served in the U.S. Army from January 1943 to January 1946.

On January 25, 1943, Virgil married Avis B. Ackerman in Pipestone, MN, moving to Watertown later that year. Virgil started working for Seven-Up Bottling Company in 1948 as a truck driver and worked his way up to management. After 31 years with Seven-Up, he went to work for the Watertown School District for 10 years before retiring. Virgil and Avis spent many winters in Las Vegas with family and friends. Virgil rode motorcycle for many years and in 1960 he became known as "Mr. Motorcycle of South Dakota”. Avis passed away in 1999.

He was a member of the Christian Life Church, VFW, and was a life member of the American Legion. Virgil was always there to do anything he could to help his family and friends.

Virgil is survived by three sons: Richard (Dawn) Haase of Sioux Falls, SD, Randy (Sharon) Haase of Watertown, SD, and Robin (Deb) Haase of Concord, NC; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Russel (Hilda) Haase, of Lander, WY; three sisters-in-law: Betty (Chester) Ellyson, Karen (James) Vlieger, and Betty Ackerman; one brother-in-law, Robert (Nancy) Ackerman; and his special friend, Virginia Walraven, and her family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Avis; his parents; and two brothers.

Guest book

Comment posted by: Lum and Lynda Peterson
Thu 07th Oct 2010 01:36 pm

Dick and Dawn, Sorry to read about your Dad. It was interested to see that his Mother was a Heath. We have relatives that are Heath's. We think of you and the memories of when you lived in Brookings. You have our Sympathy. Lum & Lynda

Comment posted by: Deborah Haase Delaney
Thu 07th Oct 2010 07:50 am

The Haase family,

On opening the Brookings Register and seeing your father's obituary and picture I was immediately remembering my own father. Virgil's likeness is very similar to my father's, Lloyd Haase, who passed away in 1995. I know we are related, but not positive how, and have no history of Virgil in my ancestry files. Please email me at pollyanalyst@hotmail.com. I would love to explore our shared backgrounds. I'm pretty sure now that it was your dad I remember giving me a pop from

Comment posted by: Ron and Karen Addy
Wed 06th Oct 2010 06:10 pm

Robin and Deb and families,rnSo sorry about the loss of your father. May God watch over you and comfort you during this time of sorrow. Sending you our sympathy.rnRon and Karen Addy

Comment posted by: Kaehl and Dorothy Volesky
Wed 06th Oct 2010 09:15 am

Dick, Randy and Robin & families.
Virgil and Avis could not have been better friends and neighbors. Living by each other for those many years & raising our families side by side bring back wonderful memories.
In keeping with their prayers, may God now give you comfort and look toward the day when we'll all meet again in heaven.
Wish we could be there with you.
Still serving Jesus,
Kaehl & Dorothy Volesky

Comment posted by: Les and Renae Kramer
Tue 05th Oct 2010 08:03 pm

Randy & Sharon,
Sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Comment posted by: Gregg and Joy Lebert
Tue 05th Oct 2010 12:16 pm

May the precious memories of your father be a comfort to you now, and may it help to know that many thoughts are with you in your sorrow. Our deepest sympathy to you and all your family

Comment posted by: Kathi Loban
Tue 05th Oct 2010 09:20 am

Dick and Dawn and Families:
My sympathies to you and yours. I think of you - Dawn - often. Sincerely, Kathi Loban

Comment posted by: Tammy Anderson
Tue 05th Oct 2010 07:54 am

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. I have many memories of going to see Virgil & Avis with Krin. We went there regularly to visit and have great treats!

Comment posted by: Jim and Ellen Tillman
Tue 05th Oct 2010 07:35 am

We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Virgil. He was such a caring man to Ellen and I over all of the years on the lake, and after. Our thoughts and prayers reach out to you Randy & Sharon, Dick & Dawn, Robin & Deb, as also to Kim & Matt, and to the rest of the Haase family. God's blessings unto all of you through this difficult time.

Ellen and Jim Tillman

Comment posted by: Larry and Judy Hagen
Mon 04th Oct 2010 08:40 pm

Dear Dick, Randy, Robin, wives and family, we are so sorry to hear about Uncle Virgil but I had some very great visits with him and I know he was ready to go be with the Lord. Our sympathys for you all. Judy & Larry

Comment posted by: Angela Hunter
Mon 04th Oct 2010 01:25 pm

Randy & Sharon Haase and family,
I'm very sorry to hear about Virgil. He was a very special guy. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

The Hunters,
Matt, Angela, Cala, Jakeb, Ella, and Landan

Comment posted by: Dwight & JoAnn Edstrom
Mon 04th Oct 2010 11:14 am

Words cannot take away your sorrow but remember there are many who are thinking of you and praying for your comfort. May the love of God surround you.

Comment posted by: Phil and Doreen Lovick
Sun 03rd Oct 2010 04:18 pm

Dear Dick, Randy, and Robin:Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. So Sorry we can not be with you, but will be thinking of all of you. Uncle Virgil we be missed very much. Love Phil and Doreen

Comment posted by: Bill Mickelson
Sun 03rd Oct 2010 12:39 pm

To the Haase family,

Our sympathy and prayers on the passing of your father.

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