Donald "Don" J. Haas

Donald “Don” Joseph Haas, 72 of Kronenwetter, went home to be with his Lord on November 24th, 2022, Thanksgiving Day. He passed away at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, surrounded by the people he loved most, after fighting a very valiant 31-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Don was born on February 1, 1950, in Medford to the late Frank and Verna (Bielke) Haas. Don and his siblings were raised in Medford, attended Holy Rosary Catholic Grade school, and graduated from Medford High School in 1968. He attended a Technical School for a short time.

He married Pamela Schmidt on August 4th, 1973, in Wausau. Together they had two daughters, whom survive. Rebecca Koss and Jessica (fiancé Tim Johnson) Tamminga. They were married for 15 years before Pam passed away on July 1, 1988. Don then married Elaine Tryba on June 8, 1996, in Wausau. She survives. Don and Elaine were able to celebrate 25 years of marriage with a vow renewal in 2021.

Don worked at several different Wausau area retail stores including Carl’s Hardware, Sears, Grebes, and he retired from Fleet Farm in 2017. He was very knowledgeable in many different areas, including HVAC, paint and stain, tools and hardware, and he was a Master Gardener for 12 years.  He was very active at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church when he was a member there. He was currently a very active member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Don acted as Kronenwetter Town Supervisor for 14 years.  In his earlier years, Don was a Ham Radio Operator, belonged to the Young Republicans, was a member of the Optimist and Elk Clubs. At the time of his death, he was a member of the I-39 Kowalski Drive Interchange Committee.

Don loved to tinker in his garage and watch Nascar. He enjoyed Badger and Packer games. He loved to work in the yard, play solitaire and do Lumosity memory games. He and Elaine were avid travelers. They spent time in Germany and other parts of Europe, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, the Panama Canal, Canada, went on several Caribbean cruises and visited many states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Don loved a good Friday fish fry with a whiskey or Maker’s Mark drink. Don spent hours reading the Milwaukee Sentinel and the Christian News. He was very up to date on current events.

While Don had various health issues, including cancer twice, he never deviated from his faith. He was a very strong person, physically and emotionally. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and he stepped in as both mother and father after Pam’s death. Don never complained no matter what he was facing, and his hope was always in his heavenly Father. He was a very generous man and thought nothing of going out of his way to help someone in need even when he had his own challenges. His attitude was always positive and uplifting. He had a way of making people feel at ease.

In addition to Elaine and his daughters, Don is survived by 4 grandchildren. Mary (Sean) Bickerton, Kayleigh Tamminga, Andrew and Tommy Koss. He is further survived by his father-in-law, William Tryba, sister, and brothers-in-law Marlene (David) Zoromski, Joanie Tryba, Cyndy (Ken) Milbeck, Carol (Tom) Anklam, Eunice Gardner, Lynn Barrett, Stuart (Terry) Schmidt, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Don treasured the special relationship he had with his nephew and neighbor, Patrick Washburn and his Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bud Schumacher. They enjoyed many visits and laughs together.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Pam and her parents Clyde and Irene Schmidt. His siblings and their spouses MaryAnn (Wally) Detert, Frank (Evelyn) Haas, Helen “Mazie” Kelley, James Haas, and Thomas Haas. He is also preceded in death by his mother-in-law Alice Tryba, brother-in- laws Ken and Jerome Tryba, nieces Sue and Siarra Detert and Victoria Ladwig. Don and his brother Jim both passed away on November 24th, with Jim passing in 2020.

Elaine would like to thank Don’s medical team at Rochester Mayo Clinic, especially Dr. Mark Truty. Also, the team at the Aspirus Cancer Center, mainly Dr. Christopher Peterson. Don always talked about the excellent care he received throughout his journey, the nurses, staff on the oncology units, pastoral staff at Mount Olive, family and friends and anyone else that reached out to help him.

Don’s service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, December 1, 2022, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson St, Weston WI. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until the service at 11:30 am. Pastor Lance Hoelscher and Pastor Mike Fox will officiate. Pastor Jordan Balk will provide music and vocals. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, 235962 Troy St, Wausau.  Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Wausau is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com