A funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Divine Mercy Parish – Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ledyard. Burial with military rites conducted by the Iowa National Guard Honor Guard took place at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Ledyard following the funeral service.
Vernon William Haag, 96, of Bancroft, formerly of Ledyard, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Accura Healthcare of Bancroft. He would find the following embarrassing and unnecessary, but we’re going to do it anyway. He was born March 10, 1928, in rural Ledyard, Iowa, to Cyril and Catherine (Boever) Haag. Vernon attended school in Ledyard, IA, through the eighth grade, at which time he was needed on the farm. He was united in marriage to Florence (Naylor) Haag at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ledyard on September 1, 1952.
Vernon enlisted in the US Army on January 17, 1952. While freezing at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, he answered a volunteer call which landed him in Honolulu, HI and ultimately The Leaders Course at the Hawaiian Infantry Training Center. He served in the Korean War with the 7th Infantry Division from September of 1952 until May of 1953. He was honorably discharged October 28, 1953, and returned to Bancroft. He worked at Welp’s Hatchery until he and Florence moved to the farm in Grant Township in the spring of 1954 where he proudly farmed until “retirement” in 1991. Vernon’s favorites were many besides his family: healthy baby pigs and calves; dry hay fields; red tractors; straight crop rows; weed-free fields; and “just one more round” which resulted in way too many charred hamburgers. In later years he was so proud of his growing family which came to include “old what’s-his-name” (with whom he enjoyed afternoon “Nesbitts”) and his grandsons. He enjoyed avoiding any smiling pictures of himself; nights out for a burger and beer with friends and family; “checking the crops”; puttering around the farm; a freshly mowed lawn; his clean, shiny pick-up; singing at church; and most of all, the “educational” morning coffee sessions in Ledyard, where someone would call to check on him if he did not appear. He was also a devoted blood donor.
Vernon moved into Stonebridge Suites in Bancroft in 2015 and ultimately Accura Healthcare in January of 2022. The family is beyond grateful for the wonderful support, care and love provided by the angels at Accura.
He was a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ledyard and a proud 50+ year member of the American Legion Post 675, Ledyard.
Vernon is survived by his daughter, Jackie (Len) McMahon of Crystal MN; beloved grandsons Dr. Luke (Dr. Holly) McMahon of Prior Lake, MN, and Scott (Sam) McMahon of Columbia Heights, MN along with their adored children, Drew, Connor and Collins McMahon and Norah and Henry McMahon. He is also survived by siblings Mary Ann (Haag) Reilly, Rita (Haag) Schmalen, Frank and Margaret Haag, and Lyle Haag, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Florence (2003), daughter, Monica (2020), siblings and in-laws: Claude and Bernice Haag, Bill and Colette (Haag) Schneider, Dr. Willard and Pearl (Haag) Irmiter, Fred and Ruth (Haag) Arcand, Sister Blanche Marie Haag, OSF, Melbourne and Ann Haag, Ralph and Darlene (Haag) Cayler, Harold and Isabelle (Haag) Hatten, Merlyn Haag, Bernard Reilly, Dr. Arthur and Mildred Haag, Arthur Putze and Edward Schmalen, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to Accura Healthcare of Bancroft, 546 E Ramsey St
Bancroft, IA 50517 and to the Ledyard FBA (Farm & Business Association) at 4607 150th Ave
Ledyard, IA 50556. Rest well, Dad, ya done good. To leave an online tribute, visit www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.
