James Leo Haus

James Leo Haus age 90 of Nashua, IA died peacefully Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Unity Point Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, surrounded by his children.

A mass of christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 11, 2025, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Nashua with Rev. Tom Heathershaw celebrating the Mass. Interment will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Nashua with Josh Jones, Jake Jones, Jared Jones, Alex Haus, Jennifer Haus, and Andy Hoggins serving as pallbearers.  Carly Mehmen, Kelly Mehmen, Noah Hoggins, Cathy Hoggins, John Hoggins, Tim Jones, Crew Jones, Mike Bratten, Ted Geerts, Noel Curry, and Mike Cagley will be serving as honorary pallbearers.

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory – Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the Mass at the Church on Friday.

Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.

Jim was born January 2, 1935 in Cedar Rapids, Ia. Leo and Elsie Haus, adopted him from the St Teresa Babyfold in Dubuque. Jim attended the little brick school house on Hwy 18 and St. Boniface Catholic High school in Ionia. He proudly told stories of being the only male in a class of four.

After graduation, Jim enlisted in the Navy and served in the Korean War on the USS Boyd.  He made lifelong friends with Leland Lortz and Sam Bass. He was assigned to be a medic, but requested to be the payroll clerk. He always said, “Everyone “loves the guy” who hands out money.”

Jim met Janice Burnett at the outdoor movies in Ionia.  On August 22, 1959, the two were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Hampton. To this union four children were born, Jackie, Julie, Joe and Jill.

Jim always took pride in his work and everything he touched. At an early age, he helped his dad farm and showed cattle at the Big Four Fair.  After discharge from the Navy, Jim worked at the Ionia Produce and Anderson Furniture in New Hampton. He helped build the Nashua Elementary School prior to the family’s move to southern California. 

In California, Jim worked at Dairygold. He loved restoring cars, regularly did antique car road rallies in his 1929 Overland Whippet and Model A, and loved camping at the beach, mountains, and high desert. As an only child, family brought them back to Iowa.

Jim worked at Carnation in Waverly and finished his career for the Nashua Schools. His true talents of engineering and pristine work were showcased in Buildings & Grounds. He loved working with his custodian team as well as the students assigned to him each summer. His favorite task was mowing and being in the sun.

Jim was a jack of all trades. He loved to keep his yard immaculate and could fix anything. He loved taking the old and making it new.

He was a member of the Nashua Volunteer ambulance, CB club, founding member of the Nashua Stump Jumpers snowmobile club, and SPGMA bluegrass assoc. where he organized many music festivals in Nashua and surrounding towns.

Jim loved country western and bluegrass music, camping, motorcycling, boating, model airplanes, slot car racing, animals and his kids, grandkids, and greats.

He could always be counted on for a good story, funny joke to make people laugh, and telling it like it was. He thoroughly enjoyed his kids’ friends. Jim could always be found in his garage repairing a car, working on a home improvement project or repair. His kids learned early on to be great assistants.

Jim and Janice loved a road trip and traveled across the country to see family, friends, and interesting places. They preferred a motorhome so their dogs and cats could go too. He could be counted on to deal with any mechanical repairs for himself or his kids. Jim could do anything.

He expertly added on to the family home. Jim was a master builder of tree houses and playhouses too. After retirement he did handyman projects in Nashua. Jim never met a stranger and could speak with anyone on any topic.

His greatest accomplishment of this generous loving man was a joy for life. He was grateful to his birth mom, Anna. 

He never missed a flea market or a chance to go out to eat. His family will never eat a jelly filled Bismark or chocolate star or bowl of popcorn without thinking of him. Jim will be the first to tell you he was not perfect, but he was the perfect dad. We will miss his laughter, his blue eyes, wisdom, and his love.

Jim will be lovingly remembered by his children, Jackie (John), Plainfield, IA; Julie, Magna, UT; Joe (Sue) Orono, MN; and Jill (Tim) South Jordan, UT. Grandchildren – Cathy and Andy Hoggins; Carly and Kelly (Ryan) Mehmen;  Jenny and Alex Haus; Josh (Hannah), Jake, and Jared (Katie) Jones. Great Grandchildren – Noah Hoggins and Crew Jones. In-Laws – Wilda and Charlie Albrecht and Dennis and Diane Burnett. Numerous nieces and nephews and Troyna and Raim cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Janice; Parents, Leo and Elsie Haus, Anna Beener Burch; In-Laws, Roger and Dorothy Burnett, Sylvia and Gordon Silber, and Linda Burnett.

Special thanks to cherished care team – Kyrsten Brummond, Cristie Brase, Merry Wiedow, Debbie King, Sarah Link, Dr. Julio Chirinos, and James Brown (Chicago, IL). Dear Friends – Ted Geerts, Shirley Buttjer, and Janet Pratt for their many visits and love.

(641) 435-4134