Evelyn Haas

All who knew Evelyn Haas would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was gracious, gentle, and kindhearted with a heart that beat to love those around her. There was no greater gift in Evelyn’s life than her family, and her love for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was unmatched. With a warm smile always at the ready, she was a woman of many talents, and she loved sharing her love for music with others. Evelyn was an amazing hostess, and she was a stranger to none and a friend to all. Graceful and eloquent, she will never be forgotten.

The 1930s were some of the most trying days we have faced as a nation as the entire decade was cloaked in the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and cities, communities, and families were left to come together to weather the storm in any way they could. The strain was felt nationwide, and there were few American families who remained untouched in some way. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1932 when Lloyd and Dorothy Sowers were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as September dawned in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The big day finally arrived on September 18th when the baby girl they named Evelyn Margaret drew her first breath. When she was still an infant, she suffered a mastoid ear infection and was not expected to live long as a result. Luckily, Evelyn went on to prove them wrong. She was their only child, and she was raised in the family home on the East side of Kalamazoo. To support their family, Lloyd worked in a paper mill for a while and then bought the Scotts Farm Supply.

In many ways, Evelyn was a typical young girl of her generation. She liked playing dress-up with her cousins, especially when she was dressing up as Judy Garland. Evelyn enjoyed taking trips to Northern Michigan with her parents. She learned to play the piano as a child, and her love for music followed her throughout her entire life. Evelyn continued playing and studying music during high school and college as well. She attended local schools and graduated from Climax-Scotts High School in 1950. From there she went on to Western Michigan University where she studied music education as her love for music had only intensified. Evelyn went on to earn her BA in music.

Not to be forgotten during her years as a young woman was her blossoming romance with the man who proved to be the love of her life. His name was Robert S. Haas, and although they knew each other in high school it wasn't until he was discharged from the Army that he asked Evelyn out for a date. They discovered that they shared many of the same interests. With a shared love for the arts, Evelyn and Robert enjoyed attending movies and plays at the local college. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, the sweethearts were married on October 14, 1956, in the Methodist Church in Scotts marking the beginning of a new chapter in a love story that would span 60 years. Their ceremony was packed with guests, and the newlyweds took an amazing honeymoon to the Wisconsin Dells.

Together Evelyn and Robert were blessed to raise six children including LuAnne, Steven, Lisa, Linda, Brian, and Jim into their hearts and home. Four of their children were their biological children, and their family was completed with the adoption of their niece and nephew in 1975. Her family was everything to Evelyn, and she devoted her time and attention to caring for her children. Preparing meals and sewing clothes for her family were among her favorite things, and she kept a beautiful home. Evelyn also deeply loved her in-laws and enjoyed farm life with them. The days she brought her babies home from the hospital were the greatest days of her life, and she looked forward to spending Christmas Day with her family every year. Evelyn always loved all the family traditions and was so proud to pass on recipes to her family as well.

Throughout her life Evelyn was a bustle of activity. She was active in her community including in the Ladies Extension group in the Climax-Scotts area. Evelyn attended Farm Bureau meetings with her husband and also enjoyed hosting these meetings at her home as she was a wonderful hostess. She and Robert spent a lot of time traveling between Michigan and Florida and enjoyed taking vacations with good friends of theirs. Evelyn found such joy in playing the piano and organ for her church, and she also enjoyed teaching children to love music.

When reflecting on the life of Evelyn Haas, it is easy to see that no one met her and left unchanged. She had the most amazing smile, and she smiled with her eyes, too. Evelyn’s moral compass was unwavering, and her devotion to her family was unmatched. A classy dresser who always looked her best, Evelyn was truly remarkable, but it was her inner beauty that made her unforgettable. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

Evelyn M. Haas of Scotts, Michigan passed away peacefully on February 27, 2017. Evelyn’s family includes her husband, Robert S. Haas; children, LuAnne (Joe) Hinten, Lisa (Kurt) Tribbett, Linda (Brendan) Hageman, Brian (Robyn) Haas, and Jim (Kate) Haas; fifteen grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Evelyn was preceded in death by her son, Steven in 2002. A celebration of Evelyn Haas's life will be held on Monday, March 6, 2017, at Northeastern Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, MI. Family will receive visitors at 10:00 a.m., and service will start at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Flowers to Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269-649-1697). Donations may be made to the Climax Scotts Schools and/or Prairie Baptist School Music programs.