Violet Haars

VIOLET DELORES BENSON HAARS

Center Point

Violet "Vi" Haars, 87, of Center Point, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at the Northbrook Care Center in Cedar Rapids after a brief illness. Her children and spouses will greet friends and relatives on Jan. 27, 2018, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m., at the Center Point United Methodist church at 815 Summit St. A private family burial will take place at the Alice cemetery at a later date. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Vi was born at home to Doyle and Vera (Spence) Benson on Oct. 27, 1930, in rural LaPorte City, Iowa. She graduated from Center Point High School with the Class of 1948 and was a member of the First Christian Church of Center Point, where she served as the Sunday school secretary for many years. On Nov. 21, 1948, she married the love of her life, Raymond Haars, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They were married for 66 years prior to Ray's passing in 2014. They made their home in Center Point, where Vi was a doting wife and mother. She was employed at LeFebure Corp. and retired after more than 30 years of service. Together Ray and Vi had three loving children, Doug (Christy) Haars of Cedar Rapids, Judy (Jim) Hannen of Hiawatha and Jayne (Patrick) Galligan of Waukesha, Wis.; five adoring grandchildren, Chad (Nancy) Hannen of Lee's Summit, Mo., Chris (Melissa) Haars of Cedar Rapids, Cory (Jo) Hannen of Marion, Shannon (George) Bartz of Ft. Meyers, Fla., and Andrew Swindle of Waukesha, Wis.; and seven great-grandchildren, Owen and Quinn Hannen, Elizabeth and Ann Marie Haars, Cade and Cole Hannen and Izabelle Bartz, of whom were the true joys of her life.

Vi is also survived by her siblings, Velma (Vernon) Roseberry of Center Point, Helen Wall of Richardson, Texas, Anna Mae Benson of Plano, Texas, Patricia Sherman of Center Point, Bill Benson of Shellsburg and Ken (Pat) Benson of Middletown, Ohio; and many other loving extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her parents; and siblings, Bob Benson and Barbara Carver.

Ray and Vi spent many fun-filled retirement winters in Mission, Texas, making many lifelong friends. They thoroughly enjoyed bowling and golfing together, but most of all, they cherished watching their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren compete in a myriad of sporting events. She will very much be missed.

Memorials may be directed to the family and will be distributed to various organizations in Violet's honor.