Emma M. Haag

HAAG, EMMA MARIE MADISON -Emma Marie (nee Starczynski) Haag, age 90, of Madison, passed away at Sienna Crest Assisted Living Facility in Oregon on Feb. 4, 2014. She was born Jan. 2, 1924, in Cross Plains to Michael and Myrtle (Beard) Starczynski. Although Mom was a smart, clever woman, she grew up during hard times and was unable to finish high school. She began working for other people around the age of 12, cleaning their homes and caring for their children. She held various cleaning and childcare jobs over the years and also worked in her mother’s restaurant. She was a World War II veteran, having joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). She was stationed in Georgia, where she became a sergeant. As a result of her service, she was a member of VFW Post No. 245 in Cross Plains and was active in the organization until her health deteriorated. She was a very patriotic woman who displayed several flags around the house in the form of window decals and on blankets and wall hangings. After returning from the service, she was employed by Kroger’s in the produce department and had fond memories of the people she worked with. On Oct. 26, 1948, she married Alban Lawrence Haag at Holy Redeemer Church in Perry. Their first home was a small rental apartment on Madison’s east side, but five years later, they bought their first house in the Vilas Park area. In addition to caring for her family, Mom took in ironing and did childcare to help make ends meet. We will always remember special desserts, including Chocolate Chip-Date Torte, Orange Slice Bread and chocolate chip and butterscotch-oatmeal cookies. Mom also had a creative side and wrote a few stories, poems and songs in the little free time she had. In later years, she began collecting dolls and was especially drawn to those needing tender loving care. She spent many hours cleaning them up, fixing their hair and making clothes for them, often creating her own patterns. In addition to dolls, she enjoyed collecting items depicting horses and eagles. She also loved to read and as it became harder for her to get around, she could often be found curled up in a chair with a book. Mom’s determination, work ethic and sense of humor helped her accomplish a lot. When she was well into her 70’s, she could still “work her children under the table.” She had a good heart and often told us, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” She lived that advice. She had a talent for taking care of the elderly in the neighborhood, which she did for many years. Mom is survived by her husband, Alban; her children and their spouses, Rita and husband, Charlie Severance, Carol and husband, Jack Pedersen, Debra, Kevin and wife, Julia, Diane and husband, Rob Meier; and 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister, Dora Lybeck; a sister-in-law, Shirley Starczynski; her husband’s siblings and spouses, Leonore Weber, Roman (Norma) Haag, Clem (Mary Ann) Haag, Bill (Ethel) Haag, Gladys (Dick) DePrey, Fritz (Barb) Haag, Theresa Cavan, Kris (Jack Kellsvig), and Monica “Heartsy” Vagerio; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Linda; a sister, Eva; two brothers, Stanley and Paul; and her husband’s brothers, Arthur and Wallace Haag. The family would like to extend a special thanks to caregivers, Pam, Lynn and Grace for the loving care they gave Mom the last few years of her life and to the staff at Sienna Crest where mom has resided for the last several months. Thanks also to the many neighbors who looked out for Mom and Dad. Your kindness made the neighborhood a very special place for our parents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at GOOD SHEPHERD PARISH AT THE ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1128 St. James Court, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 8, 2014, with Monsignor Thomas Baxter presiding. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass at the church. A Rosary will be recited at 2 p.m. at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park St., Oregon on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Perry, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family or Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.