Louis Donald Haas

15, 2020 in Tempe, AZ after a brief bout with cancer. Thanks to Hospice of the Valley, family members

were allowed to visit prior to his passing and he was not alone.

Lou was born on January 23, 1933 to William Frederick and Frances Ruth Haas in St. Paul, MN. He

grew up on the West side of St. Paul with multiple generations of his family living nearby. From an

early age, he liked dogs and the outdoors and had an adventurous spirit. As a toddler, he was rescued by

the family dog after slipping off the edge of a bluff and had been a dog lover ever since. Lou attended

St Matthews parochial school and graduated from Cretin High School in 1950. The friendships he

developed at this time were deep and long lasting and formed the core of his social life for decades.

After a two year tour of duty in the US Army where he was sent to Korea, Lou returned home,

furthered his education and alongside his brother, successfully ran WJ Haas Manufacturing

Corporation, a metal fabrication shop in St. Paul that his grandfather started in 1915.

In 1960, he married Jacqueline (Jackie) Bell, the love of his life. Together, they built a home along the

Mississippi River in Newport, MN and raised their five children. These were some of the best years of

Lou's life. He shared his love of nature and the outdoors with his family, canoeing on the St. Croix

River, camping along Lake Superior, and hiking through the woods. A highlight of every summer was

celebrating the 4th of July at the family cottage near Lakeland Shores, MN.

Lou was a creative and talented artist who set high standards for his work. He was an award winning

photographer but explored a variety of art forms including metal sculpting, stained glass and lapidary.

More recently, he was learning Chinese brush painting and made decorative cards using dried flowers.

He was a sensitive soul who saw the best in people and was always willing to give someone a second

chance. He was deeply spiritual, held deep convictions and had an impish sense of humor.

Upon retirement, Lou and Jackie moved to Leisure World in Mesa, AZ where they lived for 20 years.

They enjoyed life to the fullest and became avid golfers, hikers and world travelers. They loved to

dance and were members of several social groups. Lou was an active member of the Lions Club, the

Photography Club and Green Bananas Investment Club. In 2017, Lou and Jackie moved to Friendship

Village in Tempe, AZ where they developed another circle of wonderful and supportive friends.

Louis is preceded in death by his wife Jacqueline, his parents, his brother William and his sisters

Jeanne and Gloria. He is survived by his children Mary (Kurt) Moline, Mathew (Sheree), Mark

(Dawn), Mitchell (Karla) and Michele (Michael Koski) Haas, eight grandchildren, and six great

grandchildren with another on the way. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

There will be a memorial service in Minnesota, date to be determined, and he will be buried at Acacia

Park Cemetery in Eagan, MN.