Born: March 9, 1918

Died: Oct. 29, 2012

Bessie Hass of Berrien Springs passed away peacefully on Oct. 29, 2012 at 8:15 a.m. at Woodland Terrace, Niles. As in her life, she was gracious and brave when facing her own end of life and entered into eternal peace. She suffered numerous serious illnesses and accidents during her life but typically recovered and kept a positive outlook and a smile on her face.

Visitation will take place at Hoven Funeral Home, 414 E. Front St., Buchanan, Mich., on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, from 5 to 8 p.m. The service will be held at Zion Evangelical and Reform Church of Christ in Baroda on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 at 9 a.m. A graveside service will be held at Salem Cemetery on Scottdale Road immediately following the funeral. Memorials may be made to the Zion Evangelical and Reform Church of Christ in Baroda, Mich., and the 4-H Association in Berrien Springs, Mich.

Bessie was born March 9, 1918, in Chicago, to John & Alsbetha Zaboynik and raised on a small farm in Stevensville. She worked at the Box Factory and at Asco’s in St. Joe where she was on the Softball and Bowling teams. She and Edward Hass, married September 1937 and remained so for 57 years until Ed’s death in 1994. Bessie raised four children while working with Ed on the family fruit farm located on Lemon Creek Road, which has been in the family for 95 years.

Until recently, Bessie had lived for nine years at the Whitcomb Retirement Residence where she enjoyed the weekly entertainment, activities on the Bluff, playing bingo and interacting with friends. During her active life, she and Ed enjoyed Square, Polka and Ballroom dancing, bowling, card playing with friends and traveling. She traveled throughout the United States and to Alaska, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii, and to the Czech & Slovak Republics to see her parents’ homes.

She was very active in the Zion Evangelical Church of Christ Lady’s Aid Society, the Berrien County Youth Fair, and served as a 4-H leader for many years. During most gatherings, she could be found working in the kitchens preparing food and serving the other attendees. She was a wonderful cook who canned and froze fruits and vegetables each summer to be enjoyed during the winter months. She always prepared bountiful sit-down dinners for large family gatherings.

Bessie is survived by her children, Betty (Bob) Haimbaugh of South Carolina, Vivian (Leroy) Betts of Larwill Indiana, and Jon (Robin) Hass of Alexandria, Virginia. She loved and cherished her grandchildren April (Haimbaugh) Cooke, Dennis Haimbaugh, Ronald Betts, Jon Hass, Leslie (Hass) Hudson, and her great grandchildren Jillian Betts, Seth and Noah Cooke, Alexandria, Erica and Audrey Beth Haimbaugh, Graysen Hudson and Jon Parker Hass. Her ninth great-grandchild, Keira Jane Hudson was born July 24.

She always remembered birthdays of every family member. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward, her son Glen, her grandson Jeffrey, her sisters Anna and Betty and her parents, John & Alsbetha Zaboynik.