Gale Haase

Gale Roger Haase, asleep in Jesus, May 1, 2021, at the age of 81. Gale was born to Herb and Ella Haase in 1940 and was baptized and confirmed at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church. He was raised on Burr Oak Farms in Hillsdale Township, MN.

Gale graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1958 and married Dorothea Griessdorf on March 7, 1964. Together they raised six girls. Gale was proud of his Haase Girls and he encouraged them to be independent and adventurous. On the farm that was his life, he made sure they knew how to milk the cows, raise the calves, drive tractor, do the bookwork, and split wood. He encouraged them in their education, interests, and talents, supporting them through thick and thin.

As they married and had children, the neighbors joked, “ Now you got your boys, Gale!” He loved his sons-in-law and, as “Gramps,” took great delight in his grandchildren.

Gale loved to travel, always ready to try new foods and marveling at the scenery across the country and in Germany, as well.

He modeled a love for Dorothea, a fascination with nature, a curiosity about the world, and a sense of humor that brought joy to the family.

Gale was a man of unwavering faith and strong integrity. He served in his church, as well as filling the roles of Hillsdale Township supervisor (1979-present) and state fire warden. He was an entrepreneur, selling fencing equipment through Haase Sales & Service, selling seed as a Dairyland Seed dealer for 61 years, and buying and storing grain through Haase Sales & Grain Service.

He will be missed. Gale is survived by his wife, Dorothea; daughters Jane (Paul) of St. Louis, MO, Nancy (Dave) of Winona, MN, Bettina (Mike) of Rochester, MN, Anya (Cliff) of Mallorca, Spain, Rachel (Jason) of Apple Valley, MN, and Elizabeth (Ken) of Terre Haute, IN; 13 grandchildren—Emily, William, James, Mike (Christine), Tim, Ilaria (Geoff), Ben (Christina), Elleana, Maverick, Jake, Ethan, Stella, and Layla; and 2 great-grandchildren—Augustine and Elizabeth.

Visitation will be held from 4 PM until 7 PM on Friday, May 7, 2021, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 E. Sarnia St., Winona, where there will be a devotion held at 6:30 PM.  Visitation will also be held from 10 AM until the funeral service at 11 AM on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at St. Martin’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Winona.  The Reverend Richard A. Moore will officiate.  Burial will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Gifts in memory of Gale may be sent to St. Martin’s Lutheran Church and School, Hope Lutheran High School, the Lewiston Fire Department, or Lewiston Volunteer Ambulance Service. The family also encourages those who are able to donate blood in this time of need.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Gale’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.