Obit: Haske, Edith Margaret (1921 - 2009)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Haske, Simpson, Kruetzer, Kanius, Greeley, Pinette, Boynton, Hakse, Guerrero, Benak, Handke, Darr, Kollock, Jinsky, Pavloski

----Source: Marshfield News Herald, Marshfield, Wood Co., WI, Thur., 8 Jan. 2009

Haske, Edith Margaret (30 Aug. 1921 - 6 Jan. 2009)

Edith Margaret (Simpson) Haske, 87, of Wisconsin Rapids, died Tues., Jan. 6, 2009, at Edgewater Haven Nursing Home, where she had lived the past eight years. The previous seven years, she had lived with her daughter and husband after her stroke in 1994.

There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Fri., Jan. 9, 2009, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 611 24th St. N. in Wisconsin Rapids. The Pastor David Guerrero will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. The family will greet relatives and friends at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m.

Edith was born Aug. 30, 1921, in Millinocket, Maine. She was the third of four children (Janet, Mary Alice, Edith, Adam). The family then moved to Biron, where her father had transferred to the Biron Mill from the paper mill in Millinocket, Maine. She married Rudolph G. Haske of Marshfield in 1947, and lived with him and their daughter, Mary, on Rudy's family farm until 1954, when the marriage ended in divorce.

Edith graduated from Lincoln High School in 1940 and went on to Wood County Normal School to become a teacher. She taught "One Room Country Schools" from 1943 to 1963. Maple Grove School -- by Northwood County Park, Carry Bluff School -- between Pittsville and Lindsay, Worchel School -- outside of Neillsville, Reed School -- by Granton, Oakland School -- by Greenwood, Red Brick School -- by Thorp. After leaving her teaching career, Edith worked at the Bethel Convalescent Home as a baker. Then in 1964, she and her daughter moved to Wisconsin Rapids, where she stayed. Edith was a waitress and cook at Davis Restaurant, Seibers Restaurant, Quick Lunch and "The Sugar Bowl." She also was owner of "Millie's Cafe" until time of closing for city renovations. After leaving the restaurant business, she did babysitting/housekeeping for several families in the area, including Dick and Daria, Bob and Peggy, Kelly and Jean, Fred and Julie, Vern and Kathy. She was "NANA" to all these people and their children. She was given the name "NANA" by her granddaughter (Heather) who was the "light of her life," so the name "NANA" just stayed with her. She also had worked at Badger Ordinance (Ammunition Plant) outside of Baraboo during World War II and again during the Vietnam War.

Edith loved to do crafty things, especially plastic canvas, but she liked any needle craft and sewing (clothes and doll clothes). She also loved to read and play board games and cards, but her biggest "love" was "people," and her family and extended family and friends and anyone she came in contact with.

Edith is survived by her daughter, Mary (James) Benak, of Wisconsin Rapids, granddaughter, Heather (Iyron Handke) Darr, great-granddaughter, Amanda May Darr, age 8, great-grandson, Mitchell Robert Darr, age 9, nieces, Pat (Bob) Kollock, Carol (Tom) Jinsky, Marcia (Don Pavloski) Kreutzer, Nephew, Tony (Joyce Karius) Kreutzer, and her special and dear friend, Esther Greeley. Also Edith's two special cousins, Margie Pinette and Nadine Boynton of Millinocket, Maine, that she had kept in contact with until communication became difficult.

Edith was predeceased by her ex-husband, Rudolph G. Haske (which neither of them had re-married), her sister, Mary Alice Simpson. Mary Alice died when Edith was 6 years old. Her sister, Janet (Simpson) Kreutzer, her brother-in-law, Andrew Kreutzer and her only brother, Adam Simpson, from Suring, Wis., and Edith's father and mother, John and Margaret Simpson, from Biron.

Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids is handling the arrangements.