Obituary: Haats, Edwin “Ed”
Age 81
HAATS,
Edwin “Ed”
(Age 81)
Passed away peacefully at his home on January 31, 2016 after a courageous battle with COPD.
Ed was born January 27, 1935 in Bijou, MN to Albert and Grace Haats.
The family moved and settled in Vancouver, WA where Ed was the first in his family to graduate from high school.
After graduation, Ed joined the Army and served 11 years as a paratrooper, attaining the rank of Sergeant and earning Master Parachutist while serving in the 82nd and 101st Airborne.
He met and married the love of his life, Darlene, in 1960 while stationed at Cheney Missile Site.
After leaving the military, the couple settled in Spokane where they raised two children and Ed made a living driving semi-trucks, retiring with over 3.5 million accident free miles.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, John and Angeline.
He is survived by his wife Darlene; daughter Sandee Haats; son Troy Haats; granddaughters: Desiree “Nikki” Allen and Felecia Haats; grandsons Jameson Haats and Mathias Haats; three great-granddaughters: Dakota, Danika, and Shianne; one great-grandson Andre; one brother, Albert; and five sisters, Alice Miller, Gert (Steve) Stephens, Betty Cain, Linda (Sandy) Saunders, and Terry Smith.
Ed was a friend to everyone he ever met and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Horizon Hospice of Spokane or VFW Post 1474.
A memorial is planned for the spring and will be announced at a later date.