Nathan "Nate" Haase

Nathan “Nate” Haase, 93, of Benton Harbor died Thursday, March 17, 2011 at Lakeland Continuing Care in St. Joseph. Services celebrating his life will be held at 11 AM on Monday, March 21, at the First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor. Burial will follow in Crystal Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives from 3 PM to 6 PM on Sunday at the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Harbor where a Masonic Service will be held at 5 PM. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or the Lake Shore Masonic Lodge #298. Nate was born on October 5, 1917 in St. Joseph to William and Grace Haase. He was a veteran of US Army during WWII. He married his wife, Ellen May Cutler, on October 24, 1943 in St. Joseph and together they have celebrated 67 years of marriage. After the war he became a commissioned driver for Theisen-Clemens Company. He retired from the truck about 1984 and from the office in 1993. He volunteered at Memorial Hospital for 20 years. He was an active member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He was also a Gold Circle member of VFW Post #113. Nate loved roller skating, dancing, bowling, fishing, playing golf, and deer hunting. Nate loved everybody and everybody loved him. Nate was an active and life member of Lake Shore Lodge #298, F.&A.M., where he was Worshipful Master in 1981 and Mason of the year in 1989. He was a 32 degree mason and was a member of the 30th Degree team. He was a life member of Colonial Chapter #319, Order of the Eastern Star, where he was Worthy Patron in 1969 (along with his wife Ellen as Worthy Matron).. He is survived by his wife Ellen May, daughter Natha (Joe) Olds, of MI; grandson Martin "Bub" Olds, of IL; granddaughter Antonia (Dan) Buckley, WA; great-grandsons Joshua (Melissa) Olds, and Matthew Olds, all of IL; Jax C. Buckley, of WA; great-granddaughters Andie Rae Buckley and Remi Elle Buckley, both of WA; great-great grandsons, Blake and Trace Olds, of IL; brother William (Thelma Rae) Haase, Jr. of IN; nephews Roger (Frances) Haka, of CA; William, (Constance) Haase, III of MI; Jerald (LuAnn) Anderson of MI; nieces Mary Cutler, Phd. of MN; Joy (Alan) Hettig, of MI; great-nieces Melissa (Verne) Johnson; Melinda (Alan) Manigoz; Michelle (Mark) Swanitz, all of CA; Ann Marie (Corey) Schaub of OH; Shelby Anderson and Grace Li-Ellen Haase both of MI; great-nephews Shane (Samantha) Haase and Edward (Laura) Hettig all of MI; Nathan (Jessica) Haase of IL; many great-grand-nieces and great-grand nephews; the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church; Masonic Brothers; and wonderful friends and neighbors. Nate was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Mildred (Donald) Anderson, and Doris Haka -Breadlow; and foster sisters (cousins) Edith Ells and Ethel Wentland.

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Nathan "Nate" Haase

October 5, 1917 - March 17, 2011