Caroline F. Haase
Caroline F. (Illies) Haas, age 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, May 4, 2026. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Caroline lived a life defined by hard work, music and an unwavering love for her family.
Caroline had thirteen brothers and sisters. She went to school through the eighth grade at the Little School House of Hoven. She worked on the family farm raising the chickens until she was 17. At 17, she and her sister, Lucille, went to live with her aunt and uncle in Lidgerwood, North Dakota and continued raising their chickens. She was also a waitress in Wahpeton, North Dakota at the Kelly Inn.
It was at a local bar where Caroline met the love of her life, Delbert, while he was performing with his band. That sparked a beautiful partnership that spanned sixty-four years of marriage. Together, they built a life in Brooklyn Park centered on faith, family and community.
Caroline’s kitchen was the heart of her home, born from a lifelong passion for cooking and baking. When Delbert suffered an injury at work, Caroline stepped into the workforce, starting in Food Service for the Robbinsdale Area Schools. Her talent and leadership led her to the position of Head Cook at Pilgrim Lane Elementary, where she served until retirement. Her culinary skills extended into the community through her own business, Caroline’s Catering.
Music was a constant joy in Caroline’s life. An active member of Grace Lutheran and Holy Nativity Lutheran Churches, she sang faithfully in choirs and loved the hymns of faith. She didn’t play an instrument herself, but possessed a quick wit, often joking, “I can play the radio.” She attended her children’s and grandchildren’s concerts, always their biggest fans.
Caroline in preceded in death by her beloved husband, Delbert; parents Leo and Barbara Illies; brothers Leander, Silverius, Joseph and an infant brother Raymond; and sisters Marcelline, Threasilla, Rosanne, Bernadine, Kathryn and Lucille; and great-grandson Harvey Levi Anderson.
Caroline is survived by her children: Nancy (Lynn) Anderson, Kelly (Brian) Ellefson and Michael Haase; grandchildren Joshua, Jacob (Laura), Jonathan and Joseph Anderson, Blake and Ashlee Ellefson; great-grandson Clyde Anderson; and sisters Irene Raymond and Charlotte Griese.
A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, May 9 at Holy Nativity Lutheran Church in New Hope. Evans-Nordby Funeral Home handled arrangements.