Carl F. VonderHaar

Carl F. VonderHaar, 100 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at his residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Father Nicholas Landsberger officiating. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery in Little Falls, MN. Friends may call from 4-7 P.M. on Tuesday and from 10-11 A.M. on Wednesday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN. Parish prayers will be held at 5:30 P.M. followed by Knights of Columbus Office of the Dead at 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday evening. Arrangements are with Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Carl F. VonderHaar was born June 21, 1913 in Albertville, MN to the late Ignatius and Sophie (Heckelman) VonderHaar. In 1931 Carl joined the Minnesota National Guard, he was 18 years old. On October 2, 1934 Carl married Dolores C. Lonnee in Milbank, SD. Carl was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in July of 1946 and he was involved in the construction of the main gates of Camp Ripley. Carl was activated during WWII and Korea which took him to Ireland, Africa, France, and the Philippines. military travels took him to Africa, the Philippines, Korea, Ireland and France. He received the following military medals: American Defense Theater, Asiatic Pacific, Victory World War II service, National Defense, Armed Forces Reserve, State Commendation and finally retiring at full colonel. Carl retired in 1973 after a 41 year and 6 month military career. In 1946 he started Von’s supply company. In 1972 Carl opened Von’s Catalog Showrooms and he also operated Little Falls Amusement Co., Hansen Vending Co., and also managed the PX at Camp Riley. Carl was co-owner of Trout Bay Camp on Pipestone Lake in Ontario Canada. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and golfer. Carl was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Forty & Eight, Knight of Columbus and the Little Falls Rotary Club. Carl is survived by his sons, Gary (Donna) VonderHaar of Little Falls, MN, J. Thomas (Muriel) VonderHaar of St. Louis Park, MN, Lee (Judith) VonderHaar of Flowery Branch, GA and Neil (Michelle) VonderHaar of Little Falls, MN; grandchildren, Mark VonderHaar, Linda Kalis, Steve (Betza) VonderHaar Lisa VonderHaar, Paul VonderHaar, Jamie VonderHaar, Ethan VonderHaar, Zarie Smith (VonderHaar), Kelsy Johnson (VonderHaar), Kara VonderHaar, and Mike Johnson; 13 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Carl was preceded in death by wife, Dolores VonderHaar (2000); brothers, Louis, Werner and Robert VonderHaar; grandson, Alan VonderHaar; and granddaughter, Karla.

Tributes

Carl F. VonderHaar

June 21, 1913 - April 27, 2014