James “Jim” D. Haas, age 96, of Barron passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Monroe Manor in Barron. Although Jim’s heart was very weak, it was filled with love from his family during his final days.

After graduation from Neillsville high school, Jim attended the University of Wisconsin Stout and graduated with a Master’s degree in education. After college graduation, Jim’s first job was teaching for the Minong school district.

Jim found the love of his life, Elaine Kessler (also from Neillsville) and they married on June 13, 1957. After marrying Elaine, they settled in Barron and Jim took a job at the Barron High School where he taught Industrial Arts and Photography. Jim taught at the Barron High School for 36 years before retiring. He loved teaching and up until the end of his life, former students stopped and chatted with him about the impact he had on their lives.

While in Barron, Jim & Elaine raised four daughters who gave him 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

After retirement, Jim was the director of the Barron Food Pantry for many years. He also loved the outdoors, especially bow hunting, fishing and golfing. Another love of Jim’s was to spend time at area lakes for summer vacations. He would take his young family and in later years his daughters and their families on yearly summer lake vacations. This was a tradition that extended generations and created so many wonderful memories.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Jeanne Darnold of North Hudson, Mary Haas of Barron, Lori (Dean) Springer of Barron and Teresa (Walter) Perkins of River Falls; 9 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marilyn Meyer of Sheldon, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elaine; son-in-law, Dennis Darnold; great-grandson, Brecken; sister, Joan Haas; and brother, John Haas.

We will celebrate Jim’s life with a visitation on Friday, October 17th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron. As a tribute to Jim’s love of flannel shirts, feel free to wear your favorite flannel or plaid shirt to the Friday visitation. He would love this!

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 18th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Barron. There will be a visitation before the service starting at 10:00. Lunch will be served after the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Barron Food Pantry.

Last Update: Oct 14, 2025 8:30 am CDT