James F. Haak

James F. Haak, 77, of Echo, MN passed away suddenly on Friday, October 21, 2016 near Belview, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth. Visitation will be from 4 – 8 PM on Tuesday at the Sunset Funeral Home in Echo with a prayer service at 4:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family. www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. James Fredrick Haak was born on June 4, 1939 in Springfield, Minnesota to Carl and Emma (Baumann) Haak. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lamberton, and graduated from Lamberton High School. On December 5, 1959, James was united in marriage to Elaine Halverson at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lamberton. They made their home on a farm NW of Lamberton until moving to a farm south of Echo in 1970. In 1982, they moved to a farm south of Belview until his retirement in 2006 when they moved one last time to a house in Echo. Jim was a farmer for over 50 years. He was a council member at Holy Name Catholic Church in Vesta, was on the Echo Township Board and the Echo Community Corporation. Jim loved to hunt pheasants and deer, fishing trips to Canada, traveling to Alaska, driving around enjoying the land with Elaine, coffee and cards at the elevator, and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jim was a very easy going likable guy that most knew as “Big Jim”. On Friday, October 21, 2016, Jim passed away suddenly near Belview at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife Elaine of Echo; five children Steve (Lois) Haak of Echo, Tom (Linda) Haak of Wood Lake, Dan (partner Jim) Haak of Tawas City, MI, Wayne (Misty) Haak of Wood Lake and Holly (Larry) White of Chanhassen; eleven grandchildren Zach Haak, Laci (Mike) Schuttler, Sarah (Dan) Panka, Emily (Adam) Illies, Brandy Haak, Jessica (Kyle) Marlow, Samantha (Brandon) Wee, Andrew Haak, and Patrick, Nicholas and Timothy White; nine great grandchildren; one brother Carl (Mary Jo) Haak; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Thomas, and sister Charlene. Blessed be his memory.