Albert “Al” James Hass, 87, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Family will greet friends and family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 18, 2022, at Marion Methodist Church located at 5050 REC Drive in Marion. Military honors will be accorded by the Marion American Legion Post #298 and the Iowa Army National Guard Honor Detail.
Al was born to Elmer Henry and Evelyn Catherine (Shaw) Hass on August 25, 1934, in Forest City, Iowa. He graduated from Forest City High School in 1952 and continued his studies at the University of Iowa, graduating in February 1957, with a bachelor’s degree in Geography. Al pursued his master’s degree with an eye towards city planning, but life had other plans. A member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, Al was also in ROTC and proudly served our country in the United States Army from 1957 to 1963.
Following college, Al was united in marriage to Ann Wallbridge and had two daughters, Carolyn Ann Zaiser and Mary Elizabeth Ellerbroek. They later divorced.
Al married the love of his life, Linda, on November 3, 1979, in Burlington, Iowa. They moved to Cedar Rapids in 1984 and have happily called it home ever since. Al worked in sales and marketing most of his life, and never met a stranger.
A gifted athlete, Al played basketball and football in high school, was a championship tennis player after college, and played golf most of his life. He loved Cardinal baseball but was found watching the Cubs on occasion (gasp!). Al was a huge Iowa Hawkeye fan and spent many fall Saturday mornings tailgating with a wonderful group of north end zone friends.
Al was a member of Cedar Rapids Ex Club where he made long-lasting friends and enjoyed their comradery – even when he couldn’t attend meetings in person. Al was also a member of Marion First United Methodist Church and American Legion Post #298 in Marion.
Al is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of nearly 43 years, Linda Hass; their children, Amanda (Timm) Palmersheim, Douglas Hass, and Rachel (Steve) Ireland; grandchildren, Emmy and Lily Palmersheim and Makenna, Evelyn, Brady, Cale, Russell, and Scarlett Ireland; sister-in-law, Sandy (Bill) Jones; brother-in-law, Jim (Tonya) Norviel; and close friend, Brian (Deb) Barry.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and parents-in-law.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Al’s memory may be directed to Marion Methodist Church or the Cedar Valley Humane Society.