Alvin Haase's Obituary
Alvin H. Haase, age 94 passed away peacefully with his family by his side on June 13, 2012 in Madison, Wisconsin. Alvin was born on May 23, 1918. His early days were spent on a dairy farm overlooking a lake in northern Wisconsin. When his parents lost the farm during the Great Depression, Alvin relocated with his family to a logging camp in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Alvin graduated from Iron River High School in 1937. He was athletic and fast, and excelled as a cross-country runner. After high school, with the depression on-going, Alvin worked where he could, from a grapefruit orchard and cannery in Texas, to door to door selling in the upper Mid-West. It was while selling in the Worthington, Minnesota area in 1940 that Alvin received his draft notice. While serving with the U.S. Army in Memphis, Alvin met his future wife, Mary Alice Sweatt. They were married on April 4, 1942. After the birth of their daughter, Betty Ann, Alvin was deployed to the Pacific Theater. He served with distinction in New Guinea and the Philippines and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy. After the war, Alvin returned to Memphis where he owned and operated a restaurant, and later, a cab company. Subsequently, he held jobs in sales and in the newspaper business before settling into a 25 year career with the Crittenden Publishing Co. in West Memphis. He became the first circulation director of the company’s Evening Times newspaper. Throughout his life, Alvin took seriously his Lord’s command to “love your neighbor as yourself”, and was a friend to many, always willing to “go the extra mile” to help someone. Monetarily, he gave freely and joyfully of what he had, even when he had little. It was a trait instilled in him by his parents. Alvin was a positive influence for the many young newspaper carrier boys and girls who “threw” papers for him. He was known as a compassionate and caring person, and for being a great mentor to the carriers. He instilled a strong work ethic in the carriers and encouraged them to be all they could be. He was also a leader in his profession when he integrated the newspaper’s carrier corps in the 1950’s. Even up to the time of his death, Alvin regularly heard from many of the former carriers, and the many other friends he made along life’s way. Although Alvin was very proud of his military service, and extremely proud of the careers and successes of his carriers, he was most proud of the in-home care he provided to his beloved wife, Mary Alice, who was homebound due to a heart condition the last 20 years of her life. Alvin was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Memphis for over 60 years. In the congregation’s early years he helped establish Immanuel Lutheran School, and along with the pastor, provided transportation to school for a number of students. He was an active member of Immanuel, holding a number of offices in the early years and ushering and greeting at the early Sunday worship service in later years. Alvin is survived by his loving and devoted daughter, Betty Ann (James) Bolitho of Verona, Wisconsin, nephews and nieces and their extended families, including a special grandniece, Angelia Kleinschmidt of Bellevue, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice, his parents William and Minnie, brother Herman (Ethel), and sister Elnora (Norman) Jensen. Funeral service will be held in the Fireside Chapel at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue, beginning at 2:30 p..m. on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, with Pastor Dennis Bartels of Hialeah, Florida officiating. Family and friends may call before the service beginning at 1 p.m. A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. the evening before the service at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tennessee, or Lutheran Church of the Living Christ, Madison, Wisconsin. A gathering to celebrate Alvin’s life, share memories of Alvin and renew old friendships will be held in the Memphis area at a later date. To all of the family and friends who remembered Alvin in different ways throughout the years, thank you! The family will always be grateful. Alvin’s zeal to be a friend, and to offer a helping hand to others, and their friendship in return was a true symbiotic relationship. For Alvin, it was the fuel that energized him in all facets of life. Memorial Park Funeral Home, “Behind the stone wall”, 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com
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