Funeral services for Ella L. Haase, age 86, of Elgin, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2009, at the Christus Congregational United Church of Christ in New Leipzig, ND. Pastor John Amundson will officiate with burial in the Congregational Cemetery.


Special music will be provided by Alma Mueller and Marcy Haase.


Serving as casketbearers are Loran Kleinjan, Clifford Schatz, Doug Kranich, Morris Haase, Matt Haase, and Kerry Vetter. All of Ella's nieces and nephews are considered honorary bearers.


ELLA L. KRANICH was born August 15, 1922 at Elgin, ND to Samuel and Julia (Kuehn) Kranich. She grew up on the family farm 4 ½ miles north of Elgin. Ella attended grade school in Elgin and graduated from Elgin High School in 1940. Following her graduation she worked in the Elgin Clinic as a receptionist.


Ella was united in marriage to Otto Haase on July 13, 1945. They lived on the Haase farm north of New Leipzig, later purchasing it. They enjoyed farming and ranching together for many years working side by side. Ella and Otto built a new home in Elgin in 1959, and moved into Elgin. They continued operating the farm, later renting it out.


Her husband Otto passed away on June 7, 1997. Ella continued living in her home in Elgin. When her health began to fail, she was able to remain in her home with the help of her sister and brother-in-law, Viola and Kenneth Roth, and special friend, Ray Vetter. Ella has been hospitalized the past several months at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. She passed away peacefully there early Thursday morning, January 22, 2009 at the age of 86 years, 5 months, 7 days.


She was a member of the Christus Congregational United Church of Christ in New Leipzig. She was very active in her church, and was church secretary for many years.


She loved baking, especially bars, and would share them with friends and at many community functions. Ella was a perfectionist. Her home was always immaculate, and her yard always well groomed. She loved playing cards, especially whist. She was a very generous lady who was always willing to help wherever needed.


Grateful for having shared in her life are special friend, Ray Vetter, Elgin, ND; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Viola and Kenneth Roth, Elgin, ND, Nita and Val Roll, Troutdale, OR; two sisters-in-law, Ilene Kranich, Sacramento, CA, Agnes Kranich, Bismarck, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.


Ella was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Otto in 1997; five brothers, Arthur, Herbert, Edgar, Raymond, and Paul Kranich; four sisters, Hattie Hintz, Ada Dressler, Irene Laub and Elsie Kranich.


Visitation will be from 1:00 pm. To 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.