Dorothy Haas
January 21, 1929 — August 7, 2015
Dorothy Ann Haas, daughter of Will and Eva (McDonald) Chipman was born on January 21, 1929. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church as an adult with her sister Alice Larsen and brother Russell Chipman. Dorothy attended grade school at Lincoln #4/Gardner's School and then transferred to Harlan High School where she graduated in 1946. Her first vision of the man of her life was when she saw Russell Haas walking down the road as Alice and Dorothy were driving by. Dorothy was at the ripe age of 14 years of age. Officially, Dorothy met Russell at the Harlan Theater where she had gone to the Gene Autry show with her parents. Russell conveniently sat beside her. It was at this moment that Dorothy knew in her heart she was going to marry him.
Because of gas rationing, Russell and Dorothy wrote letters while dating. She quickly discovered he was not a good speller. There was a lot of guess work involved interpreting Russell's love notes which led them to marriage on November 24, 1946 at the Methodist Church Chapel. With a wedding gift from the parents that contained a cow, a sow, a few chickens and some corn, they made their way to Defiance, Iowa to begin farming on 80 acres. Dorothy went from her parent's home which ran on electricity to their first home without the basic necessities of electricity or indoor plumbing. Dorothy did not have a lot of experience in cooking in the beginning. She attempted to provide meals to Russell to the best of her ability, but describes her first attempt at biscuits as not being fit for the birds to eat. They moved to the McDonald Farm in 1950 and began their parenting with raising four children. In 1969, the family moved to the Green Farm approximately a mile west where they lived and farmed for 35 years. During this time, she assisted with field work, dressed hundreds of chickens, froze sweet corn and grew a large garden to help provide food for the family and also offer gifts of vegetables to family and friends. Russell and Dorothy moved into Harlan from the farm in 2004 where they resided in their home on Victoria Street until Russell's death in 2010. After Russell's passing, Dorothy moved to Elm Crest apartments in 2011.
Dorothy and Russell enjoyed square dancing with her brother, Russell and sister-in-law, Dorothy at Corley, Missouri Valley and Denison. The two Dorothy's spent many afternoons sewing matching dance outfits for the events. She was a long time member of the Pioneer Country Club and was a 4-H leader of the Lincoln Bluebirds for 10 years. She enjoyed many years as a visible supporter of the Shelby County Fair. Dorothy was a loyal Harlan Cyclone supporter. Not only did she attend many sport events watching children and grandchildren, but also watched just for the community spirit. In later life while Dorothy lived in the Independent Living in Elm Crest, she continued her passion for the Cyclones by offering tailgating experiences including too much food to eat and a view of Merrill Field from her balcony.
They enjoyed many vacations with Raymond and Jeanette Chipman mostly centered around fishing and later in life traveled to other areas such as Hawaii, Europe, Branson and Arizona. Her pastime was spent socializing with friends and talking on the phone. The family knew we could not get in touch with Dorothy at 9pm each night. This time slot was saved for "Betty Time" where Dorothy would talk with her longtime friend, Betty Boeck. Dorothy was well known for her baking. She made cinnamon rolls that she shared for special occasions including serving the men at the Chipman Farms during planting and harvest time. The family enjoyed her Everything Chocolate Chip cookies. There were many care packages processed for children and grandchildren for enjoyment.
Dorothy died on Friday, August 7th at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa having attained the age of eighty six years, six months and seventeen days. She is survived by her children: Larry Haas and his wife Peggy of Harlan, Iowa, Ron Haas and his wife Robin of Glenwood, Iowa, Cindy Haas and her fiancé Dan Defenbaugh of Perry, Iowa and Lori Schaben and her husband Brian of Kansas City, Missouri. Nine grandchildren: Tyson Haas, Ian Haas, Stephanie Ochsner, Gary Burnison, Nichole Carpenter, Misty Smith, Russell Lundy, Chase and Jack Schaben; 18 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.
Because of gas rationing, Russell and Dorothy wrote letters while dating. She quickly discovered he was not a good speller. There was a lot of guess work involved interpreting Russell's love notes which led them to marriage on November 24, 1946 at the Methodist Church Chapel. With a wedding gift from the parents that contained a cow, a sow, a few chickens and some corn, they made their way to Defiance, Iowa to begin farming on 80 acres. Dorothy went from her parent's home which ran on electricity to their first home without the basic necessities of electricity or indoor plumbing. Dorothy did not have a lot of experience in cooking in the beginning. She attempted to provide meals to Russell to the best of her ability, but describes her first attempt at biscuits as not being fit for the birds to eat. They moved to the McDonald Farm in 1950 and began their parenting with raising four children. In 1969, the family moved to the Green Farm approximately a mile west where they lived and farmed for 35 years. During this time, she assisted with field work, dressed hundreds of chickens, froze sweet corn and grew a large garden to help provide food for the family and also offer gifts of vegetables to family and friends. Russell and Dorothy moved into Harlan from the farm in 2004 where they resided in their home on Victoria Street until Russell's death in 2010. After Russell's passing, Dorothy moved to Elm Crest apartments in 2011.
Dorothy and Russell enjoyed square dancing with her brother, Russell and sister-in-law, Dorothy at Corley, Missouri Valley and Denison. The two Dorothy's spent many afternoons sewing matching dance outfits for the events. She was a long time member of the Pioneer Country Club and was a 4-H leader of the Lincoln Bluebirds for 10 years. She enjoyed many years as a visible supporter of the Shelby County Fair. Dorothy was a loyal Harlan Cyclone supporter. Not only did she attend many sport events watching children and grandchildren, but also watched just for the community spirit. In later life while Dorothy lived in the Independent Living in Elm Crest, she continued her passion for the Cyclones by offering tailgating experiences including too much food to eat and a view of Merrill Field from her balcony.
They enjoyed many vacations with Raymond and Jeanette Chipman mostly centered around fishing and later in life traveled to other areas such as Hawaii, Europe, Branson and Arizona. Her pastime was spent socializing with friends and talking on the phone. The family knew we could not get in touch with Dorothy at 9pm each night. This time slot was saved for "Betty Time" where Dorothy would talk with her longtime friend, Betty Boeck. Dorothy was well known for her baking. She made cinnamon rolls that she shared for special occasions including serving the men at the Chipman Farms during planting and harvest time. The family enjoyed her Everything Chocolate Chip cookies. There were many care packages processed for children and grandchildren for enjoyment.
Dorothy died on Friday, August 7th at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa having attained the age of eighty six years, six months and seventeen days. She is survived by her children: Larry Haas and his wife Peggy of Harlan, Iowa, Ron Haas and his wife Robin of Glenwood, Iowa, Cindy Haas and her fiancé Dan Defenbaugh of Perry, Iowa and Lori Schaben and her husband Brian of Kansas City, Missouri. Nine grandchildren: Tyson Haas, Ian Haas, Stephanie Ochsner, Gary Burnison, Nichole Carpenter, Misty Smith, Russell Lundy, Chase and Jack Schaben; 18 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.
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