Joy L. Haas

Joy L. Haas, 92, of Parker, CO formerly of Albion, NE, died peacefully on June 30, 2026 at BeeHive Homes of Parker, CO surrounded by her children.

Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion, NE, with Rev. Carolann Hopcke officiating. Inurnment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion, NE. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, October 9, 2026 at Levander Funeral Home in Albion, NE.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church or to the family for later designation.

Joy Lou Haas was born on the farm in Boone County, NE, December 23, 1933, the third of four daughters to William and Ruth (Foreman) Fusselman. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Zion Lutheran Church, South Branch, Albion, NE. She attended grades K-8 in country schools and graduated from Albion High School in 1951. After graduation she was a bookkeeper at Carhart Grain and Lumber.

Joy was united in marriage to Ernest “Ernie” D. Haas on August 23, 1953 during his furlough from conflicts on the Korean battlefield. They were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Newman Grove, NE and lived at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs and at Fort Riley, KS. After Ernie was honorably discharged, they began farming east of Albion. To this union, three children were born: Daniel, Bradley, and Janet. She was a devoted wife and mother. Ernie and Joy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003 and were 2 months from celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary before Ernie’s passing in 2013.

The couple farmed in the Albion area for 12 years. As a farm wife, Joy raised chickens, enjoyed canning and freezing produce, helped her husband with farming, and was an avid gardener. In 1970 the family moved to town and later Joy was a salesclerk and bookkeeper at JM McDonalds department store in Albion for many years. She then managed and kept books at Moyer’s department store in Albion before retiring.

Faith played a central role in Joy’s life and she was a loyal, lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Albion. She was active in Women’s Circle Bible Study, a Luther League sponsor, Sunday School teacher, and Women’s Group Treasurer for multiple terms. Throughout her life she enjoyed Christian Women’s Club, American Home Women’s Club, VFW Auxiliary #736, several bridge card clubs, sewing, baking, cooking, and anything that involved her creative spirit. She adored entertaining and making her famous homemade dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls. She and Ernie loved Pitch card club, Dinner Dance club, and traveling to South Dakota, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Idaho, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.

In 2019, Joy moved to Primrose Retirement Community in Grand Island, NE. She and her sister, Shirley, were fortunate to live down the hallway from one another and she enjoyed playing bridge with Primrose friends.

In 2024, she moved to the BeeHive Homes assisted living in Parker, CO. After 35 years of living in separate states, she and her family felt blessed with the opportunity to visit on a daily basis.

Joy’s kindness and a beautiful, endearing, sincere gaze when she lovingly smiled will be treasured by the many hearts she touched.

She cherished time spent with her family and friends and leaves behind a lifetime of memories. Her legacy of faith, love, and laughter will continue with three generations of beloved family- her children: Daniel, of Carrollton, TX; Bradley (Valerie) of Parker, CO; and Janet (Bruce) Sparling of Centennial, CO; six grandchildren: Madeline (JJ), Julia (Chase), Natalie, Walker, Hunter, and Anthony; and two great-grandchildren: Ellie, Franklin, and another expected in August; sister: Shirley Keller of Grand Island, NE; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Joy was preceded in death by her husband: Ernie; parents; parents in-law: Ernest and Wilhelmina Haas; sisters: Marian (Ole) Nore and Dorothy (Burt) Belgum; brothers-in-law: Luther (Ruby) Haas; Marvin (Mildred) Haas; and Harvey (Catherine) Haas; and niece: Linda Haas.