Paul Alan Haack was born in Council Bluffs, IA, on November 20, 1952, and met Jesus on August 31, 2025, always telling us this would be the greatest day of his life.

He left us doing what he loved. Just after riding his bike on a beautiful day, he suffered a cardiac event.

He was born to Marjorie (Klahn) and Oscar Haack. Growing up on his family farm in Henderson, IA, with his siblings he learned to balance hard work, shenanigans, good grades and a competitive drive playing baseball, basketball and high jumping.

He graduated from Nishna Valley High School in 1971 and Dana College in 1975 where he also played baseball.

While at Dana he met the love of his life, Sandy (Olson), who he loved, respected and protected every day since. After marrying in October 1976 they started their life together in Wyoming where Paul worked as an accounting manager for Peter Kiewit.

It is there they had their first two children, Heather and Aaron. Years later they met their third child, Ali, who needed a loving home. They gave her just that and so much more well before her adoption was finalized.

After eight years in Wyoming they transferred to Texas then returned to Blair where they would spend the next 37 years. He was an entrepreneur with an unmatched work ethic. Paul and Sandy owned and operated Blair Liquor for four years, then went on to start Riverside Construction for 31 years, only recently retiring.

He gave great advice, was humble, kind, honest and the best support to his entire family. He woke up every day to a good day and loved watching the sunrise. He took extreme pride in watching his children and grandchildren grow and thrive. His life lessons were second to none, and he loved sharing with each of us things he knew we would appreciate with a photo, text or phone call.

He loved being in the Bighorn Mountains, a round of disc golf, cribbage, a good card game and everything in between. He appreciated all God’s creations, the view from his yard and feeding the wildlife that came to visit. It was his daily mission to “leave it better than I found it.” He did this in his yard, home, relationships, job sites and anywhere else he found himself.

He continued his legacy of learning and generosity in death by donating his body to science at Creighton University. Paul is survived by his adoring wife Sandy, children Heather (Heath) Cottle, Aaron Haack and Ali (Tanner) Gregurich. Grandchildren Kendahl, Chase and Kasey Cottle, Kaden and Bella Haack and Ada Gregurich. Siblings Peg (Ed) Pease, Don (Cindy) Haack, Teri (Tom) Harmon, countless nieces, nephews and extended family.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents and brother Charles Haack. Paul always said, “no funeral.” We will hold a Celebration of Life at 5:30p.m. on Friday, September 12th, with food, fellowship and laughter to follow until 9 p.m. at Gardner-Hawks Atrium, 2925 Angels Share Drive, on the Dana Campus-Blair. Paul loved Nebraska Volleyball, and we’ll stream the match in his honor.

#2 Printed in the September 7, 2025 Omaha World-Herald

Paul Alan Haack

November 20, 1952 ~ August 31, 2025

Paul Alan Haack, 72, November 20, 1952-August 31, 2025. Celebration of Life Friday, September 12, 2025, 5:30pm at Gardner-Hawks Atrium, 2925 Angels Share Drive on the Dana Campus, Blair, NE. Food, fellowship and laughter will follow until 9:00 p.m.

#3 Funeral leaflet

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Celebrating the Life of Paul Alan Haack

November 20, 1952 ~ August 31, 2025

My Sweet Paul

It is here at Dana, 51 years ago, that I first said hello to you. Now it's here that I'm having to say goodbye, for now. I can't wait till the day I can say hello again.

What our friends and family saw in you was a quiet, smart, humorous, honest, giving, hardworking guy--you were such a man of integrity. What I saw in you was that and so much more. Never have I doubted your love for me. You said it and showed it every day. Every morning was a hug and a kiss, never leaving the house without an "I love you, have a great day." Always giving me that smirky little smile or sending me air kisses. It didn't matter if we were alone or at an event, you always make me feel loved. As a father, you were 100% in, you worked hard so I could be a stay-at-home mom, but I can honestly say you changed more diapers than I did. You loved taking the kids on stroller walks, bike rides, teaching them about flowers and how to do just all kinds of things. As a grandfather, you were 200% into that, you loved watching them grow up, attending sporting events, dance recitals, band/choir concerts and so much more. Our newest grandbaby is only five months old, and you were so in love with here and looking forward to watching her grow as well. My life with you has been an adventurous one, never knowing what crazy thing you'd come up with next. I'd never been away from home, but three days after we were married we moved to Wyoming, and eight years later we moved to Texas, then it was going to be California and that was a mutual "no", so we headed back to Nebraska. It was here that the fun really began. We started restoring an old Victorian, bought a boat, bought a Liquor Store (and I didn't even drink), started our roofing company, flipped a house for fun, bought land in the Big Horn Mountains, bought cabins on each side and started Circle H Cabins, adopted a precious little girl, took numerous family vacations, sold the Victorian, moved into our forever home, or so we thought, found a house with a beautiful view and moved again. It was there that you enjoyed every sunrise and moon rise, rain, snow and lightning storm. You loved having BBQs and having the fire pits going. You embraced everything God created, whether it be the weather or feeding all the animals. I know you're now enjoying the beauty of Heaven. Paul, you never put yourself first, but today we're putting you first and foremost, a celebration of your incredible life here on earth. You were loved by so many, and you will be forever in our hearts. I will miss you till we meet again, send me lots of heaven's hugs and air kisses, forever and always, I love you, Sandy.

Order of Service

Welcome and Prayer, Ted Japp
Music "You Were Loved", Diane Sheets
Reading of the Obituary, Ted Japp
Words from Paul's family
Music "Well Done", Diane Sheets
Remembrance and Closing Prayer, Ted Japp
Music, "Amazing Grace", the Sheets family

Thank You All For Coming

Please join us for food, fellowship and laughter, as Paul wanted us all to celebrate that he is now with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

~~~from obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County, Nebraska Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflet on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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