Alban L. Haag

MADISON- Alban Lawrence Haag, age 96, passed away at Sienna Crest Assisted Living Facility in Oregon on Friday, April 4, 2014. He was born on January 16, 1918 in Perry Township to Albert and Mary (Sutter) Haag. Al was drafted into the United States Army in January of 1942 as part of the 385th Bomb Squadron. He became a medic and was stationed in England, being discharged in September of 1945. When Al returned from the service he worked at St. Mary's Hospital, eventually becoming Director of Laundry, retiring at the age 66 in 1984. On October 26, 1948, Al was united in marriage to Emma Marie Starczynski at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Perry. They moved to Madison, where they raised six children and resided in the Vilas Park area for 60 years. Al was an active member of St. James Parish, (now Good Shepherd Parish) where he served as an usher, helped clean the church and participated in many fund-raising activities as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also an active member of the VFW Post No. 245 in Cross Plains until his later years. In Al's free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, digging wild ginseng, repairing and refinishing old furniture that he and Emma sold at garage sales. He also enjoyed providing family and friends with black walnuts and homemade brownies. Al is survived by his children and spouses, Rita (Charlie Severance) Haag, Carol (Jack Pedersen) Haag, Debra Haag, Kevin (Julia) Haag and Diane (Rob Meier) Haag; 12 grandchildren, Leah, Jesse, Marie, Lara, Kerry, Kurt, Scott, Luke, Kevin C., Kayla, Joel and Erica and 6 great grandchildren. He is further survived by 9 siblings; Leonore Weber, Roman (Norma), Clem ( Mary Ann), Bill (Ethel), Gladys (Dick) DePrey, Fritz (Barb), Theresa Cavan, Kris (Jack) Kellsvig and Monica "Heartsy" Vagerio and sister-in-law, Alma Haag and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma on February 4, 2014; daughter, Linda; his parents; his brother, Art and Wallace Haag and brothers-in-law, Daniel Cavan and Mike Handel. The family would like to extend a special thanks to caregivers, Pam, Lynn and Grace, and to the staff at Sienna Crest, where dad has resided for the last several months. Thanks also to the many neighbors in the Vilas area 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 Tuesday, April 8, 2014, with Monsignor Thomas Baxter presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, on Monday, April 7, 2014 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a Rosary being recited at 7 p.m. Also a visitation will be held on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at church. Burial will be at 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday in Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Perry. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Hospice. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420