Barbola Funeral Chapel

Ronald J. Haase

Ronald James Haase, age 81, of Berlin, died peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Juliette Manor in Berlin.

He was born May 10, 1943, in Oshkosh, WI, the son of Jack and Arlene Pollack. In 1954 after his mother’s death, he was adopted by Wilbur and Verna Angel Haase. Ron was educated in Berlin schools and shared friendships with members of the Class of 1961. He served four years in the Navy on a destroyer. After serving in the Navy, he worked in construction and especially enjoyed the construction time he spent at Disney World. On August 4, 1979, he was united in marriage to Judith Meschke in Morristown, MN.

Holdorf Laundry Service and Speed Queen were employers before he became the first security and safety officer for Green Lake Conference Center. Ron retired in 2005 after 30 years of service there.

Ron was greatly involved in Ripon community service over the years: 15 years on the Ripon Fire Department, a term as City Fire Inspector, 10 years with Ripon Auxiliary Police, 10 years on Ripon City Council as Alderman for District 2, two terms on Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors representing Ripon, and 16 years on Fond du Lac County Board of Health. He very much enjoyed serving in all these positions.

In 1994 he developed a small hobby farm and raised beef cattle, chickens and sheep over the years. His great pals on the farm were the dog, Dollars, and numerous cats. Since retiring and selling the hobby farm, he moved “back home” to Berlin. In the winter months he enjoyed exploring various “sunshine” states with his wife, Judy, and they spent time in Arizona, Florida and Mississippi. Traveling on bus tours always provided new avenues of adventure as he experienced Nashville, New York, Maine and San Antonio, as well as other places. He was also honored to be selected to go on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in July 2019.

Ron was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Ripon and was a charter member of RACE (Ripon Area Car enthusiasts) antique car club. He enjoyed watching TV, especially Packers games, camping, playing cards, going to rummage sales and “sorting” at his shed. His longtime camping interest re-surfaced in 2010 when he and Judy purchased a camper/trailer at Lake of the Woods campground near Wautoma where his brother also had a campsite. Many hours were spent playing cards, dominos and taking golf cart rides.

Over the years, he owned various collector cars and enjoyed participating in area car shows. At one time, he owned a navy blue ’88 Ford Thunderbird, sedan model. He especially enjoyed telling people he bought it at a garage (rummage) sale. His last “find” was an ’86 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442. The number of trophies won over the years indicates the quality of the cars he owned.

Friendships from all the avenues of his life were very important to him. He enjoyed reconnecting with old friends as well as maintaining current friendships. Someplace in every conversation with everyone there was always time to tell one more story or joke. One would lead to another, then another, then another. His memory for jokes was amazing.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Judy; brothers, Roger (Jean) Haase and Jim Hansen; and sisters, Mary Ann Pike and Linda (Duane) Nitz. He will be missed by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Ron was preceded in death by his birth parents; adoptive parents; son, Russell; five brothers, Francis “Bud” Hansen, John Pollack, Paul “Bud” Haase, Floyd Hansen and Leroy Pollack; infant sister, Joyce Haase; and sisters, Helen Pollack, Arlene Weiss, Genevieve “Sis” Jensen and Rose Mathe.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 18, at 11:00 a.m., at Messiah Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Rev. Bryan Fritsch officiating. Military honors will be performed at the church immediately following the service by Ripon American Legion Post #43. There will be a time of fellowship and sharing of memories at the church following the service. Inurnment will be in Eureka Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin, and on Saturday at the church one hour prior to the services. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Ronald Haase, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.