Daryl Dean Haase, age 56, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Funeral services were Monday, October 2, 2023 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to assist the family. www.georgeboom.com.
Daryl Dean Haase was born on May 10, 1967 in Shakopee, MN to Dennis “Denny” and Linda (Menz) Haase. Daryl moved from Shakopee to Redwood Falls, MN with his family at age 9. He attended school in Redwood Falls and Slayton, MN before graduating from Redwood Valley High School. It’s fair to say Daryl had a lot of fun in high school and had many wild stories to share of his adventures. One of our favorites was when he was hit with a flying bullhead as he was driving down main street Slayton. Daryl would light up and belly laugh every time he got to share his one and only “fish story”. The academic side of high school proved to be more challenging for Daryl, but he never gave up and was proud to share that he was in the class of 85, walked across the stage in 86, and received his signed diploma in 87. In January of 1987, Daryl enlisted in the Army National Guard and completed basic training at Fort Rucker, AL. While serving as a Helicopter Repairman, Daryl’s passion for aviation took off. During his time in the service, Daryl welcomed two beautiful daughters, Paige and Tori, with Leslie (Schultz) Reese. He worked for a helicopter spraying operation before completing his military career in 1994.
Daryl met Mandi Schelhaas in March of 1998 in Tracy, MN. The couple moved to Brandon, SD and were united in marriage on April 1, 2000 in Parker, SD. Together they welcomed three additional children: Carson, Jaxon, and Reagan. Daryl was a dedicated father, always there to provide guidance, encouragement, and love. In Daryl’s eyes, his children were his greatest accomplishment and passion. He supported any interest or activity his children were involved in from dance to marching band, choir and band concerts to sports activities. He was always their biggest cheerleader. He proved this over and over again by going all out in the stands dressing up at sporting events. Some of our favorite memories of this were his Blue Man Group costume, complete with a freshly shaved head. George Michael, because he always had Faith, and of course, his grand finale and famous Elton John costume. Daryl enthusiastically would get into character and dance around letting his kids know just how much they were loved. His favorite time with his children were conversations that were had while laying on his stomach playing cards, talking about their lives, interests, careers, and offering the calm wisdom that we all knew and loved him for.
Cooking was another one of Daryl’s favorite ways to connect with friends and family. At gatherings, you could find him in the kitchen pouring love—and butter—into every meal. Breakfast was always his specialty, delivering delicious plates of banana pancakes, crème brulé french toast, and the family favorite “loco mocos” on Sunday mornings.
Daryl had a great appreciation for all of God’s creations. We regularly expected texts and videos of sunsets, above the cloud views from his airplane, and fresh snow falls with Daryl’s signature catchphrase, “It’s a beautiful thing”. He enjoyed sharing his love of nature with his friends and family, especially during the winter months. Daryl loved to go fast snowmobiling, braap braap, but didn’t miss an opportunity to stop in an open meadow to make the world’s best snow angels.
Daryl was a man of great intellect and ambition. He was a life-long learner. Daryl was the “Cliff Clavin” of the Haase family. If you needed to know what something was or how to do it, chances were pretty good that Daryl could guide you through it. He had a great love of country and enjoyed talking about politics to those on both sides of the fence. He was a true critical thinker and always looked for the deeper meaning of things.
Daryl lived and breathed all things aviation. He received his private pilot’s license in 1991 and continued to work various jobs throughout his life to support his family and find ways to pay for his flight training. He never gave up on his dream of becoming an airline pilot. After achieving his commercial pilot license, he spent the majority of his career taking aerial photographs while building flight time with Morning Star Photography. He took great pride in his work, had a great eye for detail, and getting just the right angle for the best possible photo. His work is proudly displayed in the homes of hundreds of farmers throughout the Midwest. Most recently, Daryl was a C208 Captain, flying freight for CSA Air out of Sioux Falls, SD. Daryl’s love for aviation was so much more than a career to him. A plane heard overhead meant Daryl was already looking to the sky and would tell you quickly what kind of plane it was. Daryl’s face would light up when he spoke to others about aviation, you could see the pride on his face and hear the passion in his voice. To use his own words… “It’s a beautiful thing” to see someone you love getting to share and do what they loved.
Daryl’s passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his memory will forever remain in our hearts. Daryl had a deep love for his friends and family and always made people feel special and heard. His charismatic charm, ability to connect with everyone regardless of age or walk of life and calming presence will be missed by all who knew him. Especially his little giggle to himself before he leaned over to tell you a wild story, complete with hand gestures and sound effects. He leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion, and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire us all to reach for the skies.
“Your smile is your logo. Your personality is your business card, and the way you make others feel is your trademark.” – Anonymous
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Mandi Haase, Brandon, SD; five children, Paige (fiancé, John Dougherty) Haase, Salem, MO, Tori (fiancé, Jeremy Wolf) Haase, Sioux Falls, SD, Carson (Jack Radtke) Haase, Prairie du Chien, WI, Jaxon Haase, Brandon, SD and Reagan Haase, Brandon, SD; siblings, Dawn (Justin) Honer, Pine River, MN, Dan (Teresa) Haase, Morton, MN, and David (Lori) Haase, Wabasso, MN; step-mother, Karen Haase, Slayton, MN; Mandi’s parents, Bruce and Dawn Schelhaas, Balaton, MN; four sisters-in-laws, Michaella (Jason) Fennell, Anoka, MN, Misten (Robb) Long, Garretson, SD, McKenzie (Jarod) Hettich, Brandon, SD and Mariah (Wesley) Jennings, Watertown, SD; two grandmothers-in-laws, Marilynn Wabeke and Jeanette Schelhaas both of Tyler, MN; many, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Daryl is preceded in death by his father, Denny Haase; his mother, Linda Haase; and one nephew, Chad Kramer.