Sylvester Nicholas Haus, 85, of Culbertson, Mont., formerly of Battle Lake, Minn., passed away peacefully with family by his side on March 8, 2024, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson.
Sylvester (who also went by Nick) was born on Aug. 25, 1938, to Leo Haus and Helen Haugee (Pelzl), in Hankinson, N.D. As a child, his family primarily lived in Minnesota and, at the age of eight, he and his three younger siblings were put into foster care at the St. Cloud Catholic Children’s Home. When he was 11, Sylvester continued his foster care with Archie and Veronica Lindenfelser of Monticello, Minn., and worked on their dairy farm until he was 22.
In 1960, he married Helen Goeb of Monticello, Minn., and together they raised seven children: Jeffrey Haus, Mark Haus, Christopher Haus, Bruce Haus, Sandra Fimon, Archie Haus and Leandra Jackson. After getting married, they lived in Elk River, Minn., and in 1973 moved to Mill Creek, Mont., to live close to his older brother, Larry Haus. They returned to Minnesota in 1985 and resided in Battle Lake. After his retirement, he lived on Sugar Lake in Glen, Minn., and at age 78 moved to Forest Lake, Minn. He spent the last three years of his life in Culbertson, Mont. At a young age, Sylvester learned the importance of putting in a hard day’s work and held a variety of laborious occupations. He worked as a dairy farmer, iron worker, ammunition manufacturer, miner, logger, construction worker and welder. His immense hands and aching back reflected the strenuous and hard work he put in.
Sylvester had a passion for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an excellent marksman with both a gun and bow and enjoyed processing and preparing wild game. The camaraderie of hunting and fishing with family and friends is what Sylvester enjoyed the most. He was a great storyteller with a dry sense of humor and, over a glass of brandy, would often reminisce about his childhood adventures, hunting and fishing in the mountains, going to dances with Helen when he was young and all the different kinds of things he made with tullibee (whitefish). Playing cards was something he also enjoyed, especially pinochle and cribbage; and, if you were his partner and played the wrong card, he made sure you knew. May he rest in peace knowing that he leaves behind a wealth of memories that will be treasured for generations.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Marge, Bernice, Larry, Marie, Joe and Louise; nephew and niece, Tom Haus and Karen Hancock; and grandson, Jeremy Davis. Sylvester is survived by those who knew and loved him including his children, Jeffrey Haus, Mark (Kelly) Haus, Christopher (Holly) Haus, Bruce (Kelly Wyss) Haus, Sandra (Keith) Fimon, Archie (Jessi) Haus and Leandra (Joe) Jackson; and his sibling, Kenny. He is also survived by 18 wonderful grandchildren, 24 adorable great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Church of Saint Peter, 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, Minn. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. A luncheon will follow at the church. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery, Battle Lake, Minn. Mattson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Forest Lake, Minn., is proudly serving the family.
(Paid Obituary)
