Diane M. (Johnson) Haase

Diane M. (Johnson) Haase, age 85, of the Lakehouse, Fond du Lac, WI, quietly and gently took her Lord’s Hand and was taken home to her Heavenly Father on Saturday, October 26, 2024 surrounded by her family and their love.

Diane was born on April 6, 1939, the third child of Clifford and Margarite (DuFrane) Johnson. Diane was a 1957 graduate of St. Mary Springs Academy and was honored as the 1956 homecoming queen her senior year. She attended and graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a degree in physical education.

On August 19, 1961 Diane was married to James “Jim” Haase at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fond du Lac. They had 59 wonderful years of married life before Jim passed away in 2021.

Diane was a lifelong educator, graduating from college in 1971, after starting her family. She began teaching in the North Fond du Lac School District in 1972 where she stayed until 1985, when she followed her husband to Minnesota and later Milwaukee. In 1988 she began teaching at Our Holy Angels grade school, for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, until her retirement in 1998.

In 1999, Diane and her husband retired to Fairfield Bay, AR for the next 17 years. There they enjoyed visits from family and friends, hosting family gatherings and daily card games with their many friends. She and her husband enjoyed traveling as well. Diane continued teaching as a substitute teacher for the Shirley, AR school district as well.

In 2016, Diane and Jim moved back to the Fond du Lac area, where she had resided since.

Diane leaves behind loving family and friends, many wonderful and fond memories, as well as the many life lessons she taught those who knew and loved her. She will be sadly missed.

Surviving Diane are her four children; Peter (Denise) Haase of Oakfield, Peggy (Jeff) Henslin of Ripon, Paul (Julie) Haase of Malone, and Penny Haase (James Emerson) of Oshkosh; her brothers-in-law Ed (Mary) Haase of Fond du Lac and Elmer Steffes of Mount Calvary, as well as 13 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren; and many special nephews and nieces.

She was proceeded in death by her husband of 59 years James, her parents, her mother and father-in-law Edgar and Margaret Haase, sisters Joan (Johnson) Pixley and Betty (Johnson) Steffes, brother James Johnson and his wife Janice, brother-in-law John Haase and his wife Ethel.

SERVICES: Diane’s family invites friends and relatives to Our Risen Savior Catholic Church – Woodhull, N6499 Co Rd Y, Eldorado, on Friday, November 8th for visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until a Mass of Christian Burial begins at Noon.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Lakehouse of Fond du Lac for their devoted care of mom as well as the staff at St. Agnes Hospital for their devotion and care for mom during her final days.