Loleta Elaine Haas

Loleta Haas, aka Toots Haas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family members, on February 4, 2025. She was born on March 3, 1927. Toots resided at the Washington Odd Fellows Home in Walla Walla, Washington. Toots was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Melvin E. Haas, who passed away in June 2015; her parents, Adelbert Robert (Bob) Rimpler and Anna Pauline Rimpler; and her sister, Loretta Danielson. She is survived by her brother, Gerald Rimpler (wife Janet); her son, Douglas E. Haas (wife Marcia) of Clovis, California; and her daughter, Marjie J. Taylor (Fred – Domestic Partner) of Yakima, Washinton. In addition, she is survived by two grandchildren, Joshua Haas and Abigail Arii nee Haas and several nieces and nephews and five great-grandchildren.

Toots graduated from Whitman School as an eighth grader, was a 1945 Walla Walla High School graduate and a graduate of Kinman Business School, in Spokane, Washington. Toots married Melvin Haas on August 31, 1947.

Toots worked for Doctors Stevenson and Hoganson and then was a homemaker for several years raising her children before she went to work for Pete’s Sport Shop as the bookkeeper.

Toots was an avid skier and served as a ski instructor at Spout Springs Ski Area. She was a ski racer parent following her children all over the northwest, to compete, as she volunteered, along with Mel. She was honest as the day was long and had to disqualify Doug, after he missed a gate in a slalom event.

Toots supported Marjie’s equestrian ventures.  She also climbed Eagle Cap  with Doug and Marjie who were elementary schoolers.

Toots volunteered as a PTA parent, was a member of the Walla Walla Junior Club , was a member and volunteer for the Blue Mountain Ski Club, was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Brownie Scout mother and worked as an election precinct volunteer.

Toots was very humble. She was a bright ray of light to all of those who made her acquaintance and treated all people with dignity.

She was an avid gardener and raised a large, bountiful garden annually at her home located at the corner of Bryant Avenue and Home Street in Walla Walla, Washington.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at the Blue Mountain Memorial Gardens, 742 S Myra Road, College Place, Washington. All are invited to a Celebration of Life for Loleta Haas starting at 11:00 AM at the Walla Walla Elks Club, 152 Par 72 Drive, Walla Walla.

Remembrances can be sent in her honor to the Walla Walla Christian Aid Center through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.