Carol Jean Haas

Carol was born in Hillsboro, Kansas on December 25, 1935 (yes, Christmas day).  She was Raymond and Violet’s first, and as it turned out, only child.  Her name (Carol – as in Christmas carol) was the suggestion of an aunt who was present when she was born.  She was surrounded by her loving family as she passed on October 23, 2021 following complications from heart surgery.

The family moved to Wichita, Kansas when her father went to work as a welder at Boeing during World War II.  After the war, the family moved to Burden, Kansas where her father bought a welding shop.  Burden was a small (population: 500) farm community about 50 miles southeast of Wichita.  She continued her schooling in and around Wichita ultimately earning an associate degree in secretarial skills in 1955.

Following her graduation, she moved to Wichita from Winfield and worked for a company that installed furnaces and then later for the Coleman Company (of lantern and camp stove fame), helping to prepare operating instructions for Coleman’s expanding line of products.

Carol was introduced to Dexter by one of his former intermediate school classmates following a softball game in which Carol played catcher, her hair and face looking, well, like it had been behind a catcher’s mask.  Even with this stellar introduction, it didn’t take Dexter long to figure out she was a “catch!”  They married on May 18, 1963 and immediately left for New Orleans, Louisiana.  Dexter was being transferred by Boeing to the company’s Apollo Program effort.

Carol was part of a New Orleans naval architect’s secretarial staff until her son, Douglas was born.  At that point, she became “Mom.”  That role expanded three years later with the birth of her daughter, Pamela.

Carol became the family’s primary support system.  She was involved in everything the family did.  Most importantly, Carol focused on Doug and Pam.  Whether it was taking Doug to trumpet lessons or Pam to gymnastics practice, she was always on the go supporting her children.  She also helped with the local paper route that Doug first had for the first five years and Pam the last five years.  She was also the family’s birthday cake supplier.  Her chocolate or Italian cream cakes were featured at each birthday. 

When she wasn’t helping Doug and Pam on their paper routes, or taking them to and from lessons or practices, she enjoyed a brief career with Avon as well as being part of a bowling league.  She also maintained a large vegetable garden for many years supplying the family with home grown produce.  Pam has taken up the gardening hobby as well, having learned much from her mother.

After Doug and Pam were grown and on their own, Carol shifted her focus to her church.  She was the treasurer for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church ECW in Renton, WA and helped with the Altar Guild.  Carol worked a shift at the thrift shop and was on the Altar Guild of St. James Episcopal Church in Kent, WA.  Her Altar Guild specialties were shining the brass (usually during the week so as not to be in the way), washing and ironing Fair Linen altar coverings and making six-inch “Peace” candles.

Carol lived a life of support and quiet service.  She wanted to make a contribution to whatever she was part of.  She didn’t seek recognition, she just wanted to help, and maybe solve a problem.  If she managed to solve a problem that was resisting solution – so much the better.

Carol was an important, positive influence on her children, her husband, her church and her community.  She is, and will continue to be missed.  Carol is survived by her husband Dexter, her son, Doug Haas (Helena) and their children Carlena and Adriaan, and daughter Pam Goss (Will) and her child, Sarah Creighton.

Carol’s funeral service will be on Friday, November 19, 2021 at 2:00 pm at St. James Episcopal Church, 24447 – 94th Ave. South, Kent, Washington 98030.  A reception at the church will follow her service.  Memorials may be made to St. James Altar Guild.

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