Rita Haas

Rita R. Haas, 86, died Sunday, July 1, 2012, at Northern Montana Care Center, of natural causes. Her funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2012, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Father Daniel Wathen officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at St. Jude Parish Center immediately after graveside services. Memorial contributions may be made in Rita's honor to St. Jude Thaddeus School, 430 7th Avenue, Havre, MT 59501. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Rita Haas (recent)

Rita was born on Nov. 1, 1925, in Havre, to Guittillo and Marie (Cherie) Barsotti. She was raised in Havre, graduating from Havre High School in 1942, and went to work at the First National Bank as a teller. She married John Haas in March 1954 in Havre, where the couple raised their three boys. Rita was a good mother, dedicated to her boys. She was selfless and worried for all of them equally. She was a great cook, always cooking her sons' favorite foods when they would come home. She took great pride in her work as a mother and homemaker.

Rita enjoyed gardening, was a member of the ladies' circle for the church, helped at the church bazaars and enjoyed being a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Rita kept her beautiful yard immaculate and was most proud of her variety of rose bushes. She enjoyed camping and had various travels to Alaska and Hawaii on cruises

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert "John" Haas in 2004; her sister, Angie Kitt; and her brother, Alfred Barsotti.

She is survived by her three sons, Patrick (Karen) Haas of Tacoma, Wash., Michael (Ginger) Haas of Seattle, Wash., and Thomas "Tom" Haas of Havre; her former daughter-in law, Stacie Haas of Missoula; her five grandchildren, Amanda, Taylor, Dustin,

Rita Haas at graduation

Eve and Maranda; her three great-grandchildren; her nephew, Jim Barsotti of Big Sandy; and her niece, Mary Beth Sheppard of Havre.