William âBillâ Haar: 1948-2021
William “Bill” Jacob Haar was born on May 30, 1948 to Alton and Esther (Ahrendt) Haar in Freeman, S.D. He passed away at his residence from natural causes in Pompano Beach, Fla., on June 9, 2021 at the age of 73 years. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 30 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Freeman.
Bill was baptized on July 4, 1948 and confirmed on April 4, 1962 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Freeman. He was a graduate of St. Paul’s Lutheran Day School in 1962, Freeman High School in 1966, and Concordia Teachers College in 1970. Bill taught school and coached at Immanuel Lutheran School in Alpena, Mich., and at Zion Lutheran School in Deerfield Beach, Fla. He then went on to have Bill’s Landscaping in Pompano Beach.
Bill had many interests which included: his great love of music and books, his church, singing in the church choir, attending Bible study, visiting, and his special times of karaoke with family and friends. He had an excellent memory and became a historian of the past that he shared with many. He took a great interest in his family. Bill was always concerned on the well-being of all and was a support from a distance by his thoughtfulness and prayers for all.
He is survived by his three sisters: Carol (Daniel) Thurber of Seward, Neb. and their three children: Jennifer (Eric) Bickel of Alma, Mo., and children, Samuel of Overland Park, Kan., Kaitlyn (fiancé Zac) of Kansas City, Mo., Madeline; Rebecca (Tom) Taylor of Fairmont, Minn. and children, Jacob and Natalie; Timothy (Tarah) Thurber of Fulton, Mo. and daughters, Miley and Mia. Kathy Haar of Sioux Falls, S.D. Marlene (Ted) Pidde of Freeman, and their three children: Ryan (Kia) Pidde of Sioux Falls, and daughters, Stella and Georgia; Kara (Noah) Nelson of Page, N.D. and daughters, Thea and Claire; Brooks (Leah) Pidde of Sioux Falls, and sons, Parker and Finn. Children of Brother Thomas (Laurie) Haar: Amanda Maeyaert of Owatonna, Minn. and daughters, Emma and Gabrielle; Duayne (Janna) Haar of Longmont, Colo. and daughters, Avery and Rowan; Sarah Haar of Red Wing, Minn.; Stacey (Ian) Kopriva of Rapid City, S.D. and children, Selah and Jon Thomas. Step sister-in-law Barb Link of Goshen, Kent. and children: Eric (Tara) Link of Haltom City, Texas and daughter Lucy; Leah (Matt) Ulrich of Goshen, and son, Garen. Stepsister Lois (Dale) Solberg of Cambridge, Minn., many cousins, and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Alton and Esther Haar, his brother Thomas and wife Laurie, stepmother Mabel (Link) Haar, stepbrother Leo Link, stepsister Betty Link, grandparents Jacob and Lydia Haar and William and Mary Ahrendt, all of his aunts and uncles on the Haar and Ahrendt sides of the family, and a number of cousins.
A celebration of life for William “Bill” J. Haar was held on Saturday, July 17 at Zion Lutheran Church in Deerfield Beach, Fla. Arrangements were handled by Kraeer – Becker Funeral Home in Deerfield Beach.
