Caroline Haase

Caroline F. (Illies) Haase, age 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by 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 13 brothers and sisters. She went to school through the 8th 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. She continued working by raising the chickens on their farm. She also was 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. Their meeting sparked a beautiful partnership that spanned 64 years of marriage. Together, they made their home in Minneapolis and later Brooklyn Park, building a life 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 Foodservice for the Robbinsdale Area Schools. Her talent and leadership led her to the position of Head Cook at Pilgrim Lane Elementary, where she served for many years until her 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 Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, she sang faithfully in choirs and loved the hymns of her faith. Though she didn't play an instrument herself, she possessed a quick wit, often joking, "I can play the radio." She was a constant fixture at her children's and grandchildren's concerts, always their biggest fan. 

Even in her later years as she navigated the challenges of dementia, Caroline's essence remained. She never lost her connection to her granddaughter, Ashlee, always greeting her with a warm "Hi Ashlee" and kept her family smiling with her favorite phrases like "Come on, let's go", "Where's my bag" and "I love you". She also could tell us when she needed to go to the bathroom. 

Caroline is 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, Kathleen, and Lucille; 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 will be held at 11:00AM, Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, 3900 Winnetka Ave N., New Hope, with visitation 1 hour prior to the service.