Marjorie Ann Haass

Marj Haass died in peace at a home-style living center in Anthem, Arizona on August 6, 2017. She had recently celebrated her 87th birthday with family members and friends.

Born and raised in Whittier, California, Marjorie lived all over the west as her geologist father searched for oil - Long Beach, Whittier, Montebello, Oak View, and Ojai, California; Cut Bank, Montana; Calgary, Alberta; and Casper, Wyoming.

Mom pursued general education at Whittier College and the University of Colorado where she met her future husband, Herbert James Haass. Marj and Herb were married on March 25, 1951 at the First Christian Church in Casper and raised six kids together. Ever determined, Marj finished her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming over the course of several summers while Herb watched the kids.

Known in the Casper art community, Mom belonged to Westwind Gallery and the Casper Artists' Guild where she focused on oil, pastel and charcoal portraiture. Her children are all lucky and blessed to have her artwork grace their homes. Marj also pursued work from home, which was novel at the time, by selling hearing aids and batteries for Capitol Hearing Aids of Cheyenne. She herself suffered from poor hearing since birth and had a special motivation to help clients around the state regain their hearing. Marj also belonged to Kappa Delta and had life-long friendships with many of her sisters.

Marj generously volunteered her time to help the Casper Artists' Guild, steer the Wyoming chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, serve on the Board of the Directors at the Central Wyoming Counseling Center, and visit infirm church members. She loved culture of all kinds - ballet, musicals, theatre - and would often sing her special rendition of "Oliver" around the house. Mom instilled a love for foreign culture in her children by hosting teachers and students from Germany, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, Japan and Costa Rica. Marj loved to travel - especially while in the company of her extended family for reunions large and small; and while she was still able, she made a point to visit her family wherever they lived, in the US and abroad.

Marj was the daughter of the late Alexander and Hazel Clark who resided in Calgary, Alberta at the time of their deaths. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Charters of Ogden, Utah; her daughters Alexis Reed of Anthem, AZ and Mari Haass of Lincoln, MA; and her sons Jon Haass of Prescott, AZ, Jamie Haass of Greenwood Village, CO, Jeff Haass of San Francisco, CA, and Clark Haass of Portland, OR. In addition, Marj enjoyed, and is survived by, her ever-expanding family with 12 grandchildren, one step-granddaughter, five great-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating her life is scheduled for 3:00 PM, Saturday, September 23, 2017 at the First Christian Church on CY Avenue in Casper, Woyming. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her name to the Casper Artists' Guild, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Wyoming, or the First Christian Church - Disciples of Christ, on CY Avenue in Casper.

To share a memory of Marj or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.