Gilbert August Haug, 94 years old, of Manhattan, Kansas and formerly of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
Gilbert was born to Fred and Emma Haug May 1, 1930 in Bailyville Kansas. Gilbert was one of many in the family including Cletus, Albertus, Marie, Kenneth, Richard, Elmerina, Virgil, Vernice, Kathleen, Elsie, Loyola, and Mary Hope.
Gilbert was born and raised into a farming family. Going to school 5 miles in a horse drawn carriage was part of normal life in the 30’s. Indoor plumbing and electricity weren’t available on the farm till the 40’s.
Gilbert met Betty Spangler, a grade school teacher from Chicago at a church dance in Baileyville, they were married January 2 1954 while Gilbert was serving as a chaplain’s assistant in the Army at Fort Riley. They soon started a family with son Michael born in October.
After discharge from the Army the family moved to Chicago where they lived in the basement of the in-laws (Spangler) home. Gilbert worked at a cabinet maker manufacture.
The call of the farm was a welcome call and the family moved to a humble (no indoor plumbing) property on the family farm back in the Baileyville community. There they welcomed daughter Ann in April of 1956.
Betty returned to teaching at Bailyville, and Gilbert worked the farm. Farming was difficult at the time and Gilbert worked other odd jobs to make ends meet.
Son, Steve was born in 1958, the family moved to Seneca Kansas a short time later where Gilbert worked as a parts man at an International Harvester dealer, all the while working odd jobs to get by. Betty taught at St. Peter and Paul grade school.
In 1962 Gilbert had the opportunity to go to work for the Soil Conversation Service in Cottonwood Falls Kansas. He worked for the Soil Conservation Service for nearly 40 years. He loved his work and the many people he made friends with in the Flint Hills. He was always involved in the St Anthony Parish, sharing his talent and gifts to be enjoyed by many.
Betty went to work for the Cottonwood Falls Grade School and subsequently Strong City over the course of 35 year teaching career.
Upon retirement Gilbert and Betty moved to Manhattan where they spent the last 24 years. Gilbert and Betty enjoyed travel and took many cruises and they were fortunate to take a bucket list trip to Germany. Gilbert was active in Manhattan he enjoyed daily mass, much of the time as an altar boy, well into his 80’s. He loved working out at the Gym and was in great shape into his late 80’s. Betty passed in April of 2014; they shared 60 years of marriage. The impacts of their influences have been immense to the Grandchildren, Michael, Kelli, Joe, Jim, John, and Tom and the great grandchildren, Charlotte, Brooke, and Jack.
Gilbert loved gardening and growing plants, he was always current with the weather, too much rain, not enough rain; he never seems content with what the weather conditions were. Gilbert went to be with his family and friends in heaven June 15, with a peaceful passing at his home. He will be missed by many. The world is a better place for having had Gilbert here for 94 years.
The family will greet friends during a visitation on Tuesday June 18, 2024 from 5:00 until 7:00p.m. with the Rosary following at 7:00p.m. at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday June 19 at 11:00a.m. at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan, there will be a luncheon following the service. Private interment will be held at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Fort Riley in Manhattan.
Memorial contributions in memory of Gilbert are suggested the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Strong City, Kansas. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com