Ardra Haas

Ardra Haas is a special woman in the hearts of those she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed. She was a resourceful and ambitious hard worker who put the needs of family before her own. Ardra taught her children that you never make mistakes but are just confronted with creative alternatives.

Ardra’s story began in the city of Battle Creek, Michigan. The daughter of George and Beulah (Park) Alward, she was born August 1, 1927. Her father was a podiatrist and her mother worked as a beautician. Ardra’s only sibling, a half brother, Howard Park Miller, was much older. She was raised as an only child.

At an early age Ardra and her mother moved to the Kalamazoo area where she attended the local schools. She was an out-going, fun loving girl who enjoyed the friendships of many throughout her youth. Ardra excelled in English and particularly loved writing poetry. In addition she was active as a diver on the swim team for Kalamazoo Central High School and enjoyed playing music on the harp, piano and violin.

On May 31, 1947, Memorial Day weekend, Ardra married her childhood friend Carl Thomas Haas, who was recently discharged from a term in the Navy as a Sea Bee. Ardra and Carl had become acquainted when their mothers were coworkers in a beauty salon in Kalamazoo.

Ardra and Carl made their home on the city’s west side and together began a family of their own eventually raising four children, Cindy, Marty, Tom and Patti. Attentive and loving, Ardra was a full time homemaker.

In the 1950’s they took to the country on a small peach farm in Oshtemo Township. Active in the Oshtemo Grange, Ardra enjoyed gardening and canning. In the early 1960’s they purchased Crooked Lake Market in Texas Township, which continues to be in operation to this day. They enjoyed fishing and boating on Crooked Lake. Ardra was always game for a hand of cribbage or hearts and often entertained family, playing cards and fishing late into the night.

In the late 1960’s Ardra and Carl bought a vineyard in Lawton which became their family home for over two decades. Ardra loved hosting family get-togethers there especially when all her children and grandchildren could be present. She took lots of pleasure from cooking great dinners. Carl’s death in 1993 was a difficult time for her. She remained strong and found strength in her faith and the love of family.

Soon after Carl’s death, Ardra began working as a church secretary at Calvary Reformed Church, where she remained for 13 years. With more time for writing poetry, many of her works were published in the Senior Times and various local newsletters. During her later years, after moving to Portage, she became very active and social. She was active in church life, the “Prime Timers”, the Portage Sr. Center, particularly the cribbage group that met there. She enjoyed life surrounded by her many friends. Frugal in every way her one extravagance was buying lotto tickets. Her outgoing nature and quick wit made her delightful company.

A special woman indeed, Ardra Haas lived life with an ambitious spirit. She possessed characteristics that were straight from the heart of a loving and dedicated mother, grandmother and friend. Deeply missed, she will always be fondly remembered.

At the age of 83, Ardra passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Battle Creek. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl Thomas Haas and her son Tom Haas. Surviving are her children: Cindy (Larry) Bair, Marty (Kathy) Haas, Patti Greenman, and daughter-in-law Patti Haas; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Learn more about Ardra, view her Life Story film and share refreshments with her family and friends on Wednesday from 5-7 PM at Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson-Paw Paw; 60900 M-40, (269) 657-3870. Services will be held Thursday, March 31, 2011, 11:00AM. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery. Please visit Ardra’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com to submit a memory, photo or to sign her memory book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be directed to the Portage Senior Center or Good Samaritan Hospice of Battle Creek.