James Joseph Haack

About Jim

James Joseph Haack, 77 , of Bemidji, MN died Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Neilson Place in Bemidji.

Jim was born February 13, 1947 in Fargo, North Dakota, the son of Marlin “Buck” and Loraine (Anderson) Haack. He was raised and educated in Bemidji, Minnesota graduating from Bemidji High School in 1965. He attended North Dakota State University in Fargo to study Mechanical Engineering. During his time at NDSU, Jim spent his summers smoke jumping for the US Forest Service.

After graduating college in 1970 he was drafted into the Army. He spent a year in Vietnam as a combat engineer, earning a Bronze Star for his heroic efforts. Upon returning to the states, he was stationed in San Francisco at the Presidio. He moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1972 to work at Factory Mutual. In 1979 he came back to Bemidji and founded Haack Engineering which he successfully operated until he retired in 2005.

On July 4th, 1976 Jim met the love of his life, Judy Pribbernow. They were married on August 12th, 1978 in Longwood, Wisconsin. Together they raised their children, Jeff and Becky in Bemidji. Jim was an avid outdoorsman and spent many hours hunting and fishing with his friends and family. The ultimate social butterfly there wasn’t anyone Jim wouldn’t strike up a

conversation with.

He is survived by his son Jeff (Tracy) Haack of Bemidji and daughter Becky (Tony) Hanson of Bemidji; five grandchildren: Matthew, Emily, and Henry Haack, Aubrey and Elyse Hanson; his sister Barb (Dick) Anderson of Bemidji; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 2017, his parents, one sister Bev (Dave) Cronk of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and his niece Jennifer Lovering.

memorial service

Memorial Services for Jim

April 19, 2024

Cease Family Funeral Home 2807 Irvine Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA

Pastor Mike Naylor will be officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment for family will be at the Greenwood Cemetery. Immediately following interment the family welcomes guests to Backwoods Bar and Grill to remember Jim.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home