James Mathias Haack

James (Jim) Mathias Haack of Little Chute, age 85, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Jim was born on January 18, 1938 in Rio Creek, WI.  He graduated from Algoma High School in 1956, and shortly afterwards, enlisted with the United States Airforce until 1960.  In his first year of service, Jim played for the Air Force baseball team as their Pitcher until a career ending shoulder injury.  He was then stationed for a year in Morrocco at an Air Force radar site on the Mediterranean, where he provided security and volunteered to be the base’s DJ at night.  During his last two years of service, Jim was stationed at a SAC base in Lincoln, NE, he met the love of his life, Barbara, and married on July 3, 1959.

Upon honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1960, Jim returned to Algoma, WI with his wife Barb and two stepsons where he graduated with a degree in engineering.  He worked for Fisher-Hamilton in Manitowoc, WI before taking a job with Badger Northland in Kaukauna, WI; a farm equipment manufacturer.  He quickly rose through the engineering department in the late 60’s to become the engineering manager, before transferring in the early 70’s to the sales department as a territory sales rep and eventually promoted to a regional sales manager in the 80’s.

Jim finished his career working for J-Star Industries, a newly formed company from a merger of Jamesway and Starline, as a territory sales manager from 1988 until retiring in 2003.  He was J-Star’s top sales producer for 14 straight years, earning their prestigious Cup Club award 5 times.  He had an immense passion for providing modern farming solutions to dairy farms throughout Northeast Wisconsin and upper Michigan working with dealers and farmers, changing the farming landscape for the region.

When Jim wasn’t hard at work, he loved the outdoors.  From an early age, he would rabbit hunt with his father and older brother.  When he eventually had his own family, he would take his son, Mike, and grandson, David hunting on their own land for 30 years.  During retirement he took up woodworking constructing scale toy models for David.  Always a life-long learner, he participated in various continuing education courses such as horticulture.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Myrtle; sister Mary; daughter Mary whom passed away at birth; and son-in-law James.

Jim is survived by his wife Barbara; two step-sons John (Shelly) and Rick (Cheri); three children Jeanne (Joe), Deborah, and Michael.  11 grandchildren – Mandy (John), Jessie (Henry), Johnnie, James, Marissa (Kyle), Daniel, Eric, Nick (Layla), Alex, Matthew, and David.  5 great-grandchildren – Landon, Sutton, Charlie, Adalyn, and Cooper.  three siblings – Ken (Shirley), Nancy (Dave), and John (Gail).  brother-in-law Tom.

James Celebration of Life will be in Algoma, WI on October 28, 2023 from 10am until 2pm @ Knudson Hall.