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Evelyn "Evie" Haas
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Evelyn "Evie" Haas, nee Jenkins, went to her home in Heaven on April 9, 2013 after having lived 85 rich and full years on this earth.

She was born in Mifflin, Iowa County, Wisconsin on February 10, 1928, the beloved daughter of Alvin and Marion (nee Linley) Jenkins. Evelyn attended rural schools and graduated from Ridgeway High School in 1944. She attended the UW-Madison, graduating in 1948 with a degree in home economics.

Her first job was as a county home agent in Green Lake County and it was there that she met the love of her life, Jim, who was a county agricultural agent. They were married on June 30, 1949 and Evelyn happily began her new role as a farm wife. Over their 40 years of marriage, the couple lived on farms in the Lodi area and near North Fond du Lac. Eventually, they both developed careers in teaching. They worked in high schools in Lodi, Lake Mills and North Fond du Lac. They moved to Monroe in 1967, and Evelyn taught home economics there until her retirement in 1984. Evelyn earned a masters degree in home economics education from UW-Stout in 1981.

Evelyn and Jim moved to Madison in 1984. After Jim's death in 1990, Evelyn continued living there, close to many family members and friends. In 2001, she became a resident of Cedar Community. In her apartment at Cedar Ridge, she was surrounded by caring neighbors, and she was delighted by the rural setting, where she had a garden and often saw wildlife and birds.

Evelyn will be remembered as a wonderful cook and some of her recipes will be used for generations in various parts of the world. She often took food to neighbors and enjoyed entertaining friends and family for meals. Evelyn was an expert gardener and was happy to share her flowers and vegetables. She loved her students and she had remarkable skills in working with children of all ages. Over the years, she guided countless 4-H groups, church youth groups and various other community organizations. She and Jim hosted a foreign exchange student from Turkey in their home for a year. They were always very involved with the foreign exchange students in their high schools, taking them to family gatherings and local points of interest.

Evelyn and Jim were avid campers, and traveled extensively. They visited all 50 states and all the Canadian provinces. They went to Europe several times and took a trip to Mexico, central and South America; as well as a summer-long trip to Asia, Australia and the Pacific. When their daughter Peggy was stationed on the Navajo Reservation, they very much enjoyed visiting her in New Mexico as often as they could. After Jim died, Evelyn continued to travel with the ElderHostel program, where she made many new friends and had fascinating experiences.

Evelyn's family meant more to her than anything. Left behind to cherish her memory are her daughter, Peggy Haas of Menomonee Falls; a sister, Donna Liebenstein of Lac du Flambeau; a sister-in-law, Patricia Jenkins of Okeechobee, FL; numerous nieces and nephews, many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a sister, Sally (James) Quinn, a brother, Alvin "Mike" Jenkins, and a brother-in-law, J.O. Liebenstein.

Throughout her life, Evelyn had beautiful memories of her parents and of her family as she grew up. Her friends and her family always knew that she would do anything to help them, in any way she could. She will be missed by so many who have felt her kindness and affection.

In recent months, Evelyn made her home in a memory care residence, Heritage Court in Menomonee Falls. She was lovingly cared for and there she found she was part of yet another family. The Allay Hospice team supported Evie and Peggy greatly in the last months of Evie's life.

Evie would be pleased and honored if you made a gift in her memory to The 1022 Club in Hartford, to your local food pantry, or to an animal shelter of your choosing.

A funeral service in remembrance of Evie will be held on Saturday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m. at Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church, 323 S. Fifth Ave., West Bend. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 12:00 Noon until the time of service. The family will also receive visitors on Sunday, April 14 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison, on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service, West Bend, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.myrhum-patten.com.