Visitation at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 2250 Main Street, on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 from 9:00 AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Interment follows at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Martha Bahlinger Haase passed away peacefully on July 20, 2016 at the age of 85 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2004. She was the loving wife of Charles Wendell Haase for 64 years, and lived a long, happy life raising her six children while staying involved with her family, church, and community. Martha was a lifelong parishioner at Sacred Heart Church where she attended elementary school. After attending St. Joseph's Academy for one year, she graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau in 1948. Mrs. Haase was active in numerous organizations during her life including Sacred Heart Church Altar Society and Food Pantry, the Baton Rouge Eye Bank Auxiliary, Our Lady of the Lake Auxiliary, Sophie Barat Chapter Alumnae of the Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart Home and School Association, and as a past officer of Catholic High School Mother's Club. She also worked for several years as a secretary at Our Lady of Mercy Church as well as volunteering part-time in the rectory at Sacred Heart. In addition to her husband, Martha is survived by her beloved children, Michael Haase and partner Jennifer Kalman, Dr. Greg Haase and wife Peggy Rolfes, Cathy Kowitz and husband Norm, Wendell Haase, Donald Haase and wife Joan, and Mark Haase; eleven grandchildren, Cory and Kyle Haase, Kelly and Caitlin Rolfes-Haase, Ali Kowitz-McLaughlin and husband David, Austin, Brenton, and Ryan Kowitz, and Matthew, Stephen and Jennifer Haase; and five great-grandchildren. Mrs. Haase is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Peter Bahlinger, Fred Bahlinger, Lawrence Bahlinger, Frances Bahlinger Fremin, and Charlotte Bahlinger Walters. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick Jacob Bahlinger Sr. and Christina Fabacher Bahlinger, and brothers, Eugene Bahlinger and David Bahlinger. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 2250 Main St., from 9:00 a.m. until a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Miles Walsh. Interment to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to her caregivers including Deborah Sprague, Juanita Snowden, Dora Gant, and the compassionate staff at Clarity Hospice, especially Danielle Walker, Barbara Dawson, and Kiara Foulcard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Academy of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau (1821 Academy Road, Grand Coteau, LA 70541), Catholic High School, Sacred Heart Church, St. Joseph's Academy, or East Baton Rouge Lions Charities.
