Carolyn Louise Haase

Age 83, passed away on October 4th, 2022 at her home in Dewitt, Michigan. Carolyn was born in McPherson, Kansas on October 5th, 1938 to Clarence and Myrtle (Hawkinson) Carlson.

Carolyn’s smile will be missed by all; she communicated her special light through her smile. Family was most important to Carolyn and she engaged fully in her grandchildren’s lives by supporting their interests and encouraging their education. She made it a priority to share her love of Swedish traditions at Christmas, in school programs and through family stories. Carolyn loved to travel. She visited Korea twice while Steve (son) was working there; traveled to Africa with her sister; and looked forward and enjoyed the yearly “Birthday Trip” on Steve and Darra’s boat on Lake Huron. She was passionate about music and encouraged her children and grandchildren in their music endeavors - piano, musicals, and concert bands. She became an accomplished hand bell musician and sang in her church choirs.

Carolyn always shared with others that she grew up on a farm in Kansas. She loved math and was the first woman to receive a math scholarship at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Carolyn married James Haase on August 8th, 1959 and began teaching. When she and James moved their young family from Kansas to Minneapolis St. Paul, she connected with extended family in Wisconsin, and more family traditions were created and enjoyed. After James became a minister, Carolyn served her church community as minister’s wife. The Haase family moved to serve churches in Big Rapids and Lansing, Michigan. She took a job as math instructor at Lansing Community College, obtained her master’s degree at Western Michigan University and retired after 30 years as the department chair for Mathematical Skills (the Math Lab). Carolyn was most proud of the work she did in the Mathematical Skills department, helping students to overcome their “math” fears and be successful.

Carolyn leaves to cherish her memory; her daughter Linda (Russell) Dudek, son Steven (Darra) Haase; her beloved grandchildren, Christopher Dudek, Casey Dudek, and Jennifer Dudek; her sister Mary Anna Anderson; her sister-in-law, Kathy Carlson and special family friend, Amy Schmidt-Kramer.

She is predeceased by her husband of 33 years, James Haase (Feb. 22, 1992) and her brother Gordon Carlson (Jan 27, 2021).

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes – East Lansing Chapel, 1730 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, from 4:00PM – 7:00PM. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at University Lutheran Church – East Lansing, 1020 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823 at 11:00AM with a visitation held one hour prior at 10:00AM.

Donations in Carolyn’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/donate) or University Lutheran Church – East Lansing, 1020 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823.

Carolyn will be laid to rest in East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos, Michigan.

Funeral services will be livestreamed on the University Lutheran Church's Facebook page.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Haase family.