Gerald Haak

Hills, Minnesota Gerald Haak, age 80, of Hills, MN, died Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne, MN. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, March 19th at United Reformed Church in Hills, MN, with Rev. Doug Barns officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery, with military honors by the Hills American Legion Post 399. Visitation will be Sunday, March 18th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM with the family present from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills. Gerald Haak was born February 5, 1932 on a farm northeast of Beaver Creek, Minnesota, the son of Abraham Abe and Cornilla (Van Bemmel) Haak. He attended Hills Community Schools. He was baptized and made his confession of faith at Christian Reformed Church in Hills, MN. He entered the U.S. Army in September 17, 1952. Along with earning his GED he also earned the rank of Corporal. He served in the Korean War and was honorably discharged on September 4, 1954. He returned to Hills and began working at John Morrels in Sioux Falls, SD. On December 3, 1954 Gerald was united in marriage to Henrietta Veltkamp at the Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, IA. Together they lived and raised a family of four children in the Hills, MN area. Gerald owned and operated the Hills Locker until he retired in 1994. He was a member of the United Christian Reformed Church in Hills, serving as elder, sexton of the church cemetery for many years, and an active member of Hills America Legion Post #399. He also was a member and volunteer for numerous organization and activities within Rock County. Gerald enjoyed raising lamas and growing apples. He loved fishing with his children and grandchildren. Gerald and Henrietta were very busy following their grandchildrens school activities. His family will remember Gerald as a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed visiting with anyone. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Henrietta Haak of Hills, MN; four children, Charlene (Doug) Leuthold of Rock Rapids, IA, Larry (Deb) Haak of Hills, MN, Darla (Brian) Kraayenhof of Hills, MN, and Rhonda Haak (special friend, Becky) of Champaign, IL; six grandchildren, Bradley Haak of Hills, MN, Christopher Leuthold of Rock Rapids, IA, Derek (Erin) Haak of Sioux Falls, SD, Sara Leuthold of Ellsworth, MN, Adam Leuthold and Brent Leuthold, both of Rock Rapids, IA; two step grandchildren, Nichole Kraayenhof of Beaver Creek, MN and Kaitlyn Kraayenhof of Luverne, MN; one step-great-granddaughter, Cheyelene Kraayenhof of Luverne, MN; three sisters, Marie Koedam of Luverne, MN, Alida (Alvin) Ver Burg of Sturgis, SD, and Henrietta (Rich) Haan of Rapid City, SD; two brothers, Albert (Francis) Haak of Luverne, MN and Henry (Mariann) Haak of Sioux Center, IA; and many other extended family . He was preceded in death by his parents, Abe and Cornelia Haak; two brothers-in-law, Albertus Koedam and John Vander Kooi.