Mark Allen Haase
May 19, 1965 — August 16, 2024
Mark "The Can Man" Allen Haase, the son of Don and Marie VanDrew Haase was born on May 19, 1965. He grew up in Belle Plaine, Iowa and received his education from Iowa Mennonite School.
After high school, Mark worked construction in Iowa City, Iowa, learning the siding trade. He was very proud of a hotel he helped construct in the community. Mark continued to work in construction for many years. He worked for Habitat for Humanity in Fort Dodge, Iowa, as a project manager and helped open the Fort Dodge Restore.
While working for Habitat for Humanity, Mark developed a passion for salvage, restoration, and recycling. He hated to see anything go to waste. He loved to go into an old house or building and remove the flooring, windows, cabinets, etc. and resell it. You would often hear him say, “They don’t build homes like this anymore.” He loved to share stories and show pictures of things he had salvaged over the years. It was this passion for recycling that led Mark to open the New Creations Recycling Center in Denison, Iowa. Mark loved picking up cans and bottles from his customers and chatting with each one throughout his day. He would always say, “I have the most patient and loyal customers.”
Mark had a kind heart and loved to show people he cared. He would help anyone from a hitchhiker along the road to someone who had just lost a spouse and would provide jobs to people whenever he could. He started the Christmas Dinner in Denison and was so excited to provide meals for other people who might be lonely on that day. He could always find volunteers and people to donate the food and help serve. It gave him so much joy to make others happy. Mark was also an original board member of Yafah Ministries and most recently was working with Grace E-Free Church to help stop Human Trafficking.
Mark also loved his dog Meela very much. She meant the world to him, and you could always find her riding around in the truck with him while he was picking up cans.
Even though Mark battled with addictions his entire life, he believed that people could change. He knew a personal relationship with Jesus was the key to change and tried to walk that path himself. Mark found Jesus during a time spent in prison and was more than willing to share his testimony whenever he felt led. He truly believed God had provided for him over and over in his lifetime but struggled to believe he deserved His love and grace. Today Mark would want you to know he is with Jesus and finally released from the things that have burdened him for so many years.
Left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Marrisa Frederick (Scott) of Cedar Rapids, IA; grandson, Oliver Frederick of Cedar Rapids, IA; mother, Marie Haase of Ely, IA; brother, Brett Haase of Cedar Rapids, IA, and his loving husky companion, Meela.
After high school, Mark worked construction in Iowa City, Iowa, learning the siding trade. He was very proud of a hotel he helped construct in the community. Mark continued to work in construction for many years. He worked for Habitat for Humanity in Fort Dodge, Iowa, as a project manager and helped open the Fort Dodge Restore.
While working for Habitat for Humanity, Mark developed a passion for salvage, restoration, and recycling. He hated to see anything go to waste. He loved to go into an old house or building and remove the flooring, windows, cabinets, etc. and resell it. You would often hear him say, “They don’t build homes like this anymore.” He loved to share stories and show pictures of things he had salvaged over the years. It was this passion for recycling that led Mark to open the New Creations Recycling Center in Denison, Iowa. Mark loved picking up cans and bottles from his customers and chatting with each one throughout his day. He would always say, “I have the most patient and loyal customers.”
Mark had a kind heart and loved to show people he cared. He would help anyone from a hitchhiker along the road to someone who had just lost a spouse and would provide jobs to people whenever he could. He started the Christmas Dinner in Denison and was so excited to provide meals for other people who might be lonely on that day. He could always find volunteers and people to donate the food and help serve. It gave him so much joy to make others happy. Mark was also an original board member of Yafah Ministries and most recently was working with Grace E-Free Church to help stop Human Trafficking.
Mark also loved his dog Meela very much. She meant the world to him, and you could always find her riding around in the truck with him while he was picking up cans.
Even though Mark battled with addictions his entire life, he believed that people could change. He knew a personal relationship with Jesus was the key to change and tried to walk that path himself. Mark found Jesus during a time spent in prison and was more than willing to share his testimony whenever he felt led. He truly believed God had provided for him over and over in his lifetime but struggled to believe he deserved His love and grace. Today Mark would want you to know he is with Jesus and finally released from the things that have burdened him for so many years.
Left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Marrisa Frederick (Scott) of Cedar Rapids, IA; grandson, Oliver Frederick of Cedar Rapids, IA; mother, Marie Haase of Ely, IA; brother, Brett Haase of Cedar Rapids, IA, and his loving husky companion, Meela.
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