Thank You

Now that all of the family has left, and we have had a chance to say our goodbyes- both to Glenn and to each other- there has been time to reflect. Although it was one of the saddest days I've ever experienced, Saturday was also a day of family, remembrance, and peace. In short, it was a day of Glenn. There are so many people our family wishes to thank. The first are the wonderful hospice team that were there for Mom and Glenn and who helped guide them down a very difficult and uncertain path. Not only were they there with Glenn until the end, they all attended the funeral service, once again providing us comfort at a difficult time. Thank you Steve, Cynthia, and Connie for being so caring, comforting, and supportive. Also, we want to thank the wonderful staff at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, especially Nate. He made a very difficult day a little easier by anticipating our needs and always going the extra mile. We were very impressed by the respect and kindness that was shown and I can't imagine things going any better. Thank you. Finally, we want to thank all of the wonderful friends and family who made the effort to attend the service. Some of you went to great lengths and traveled great distances to be there, and we are truly grateful and humbled by your love for Glenn. He was a really great guy, and I think that is evident in not only the quantity of his friends, but also in the quality of his relationship with each of you. I'm sure he was a little disappointed to have all of you in one room, yet unable to visit with anyone! So, thank you again for being such an important part of his life, and for making him important to you as well. I know he "deeply appreciated" it. It is said that time heals all wounds, and I am hoping this is true. Right now there is such a hole left in our hearts, especially Mom's, that seems too vast to ever be filled. I know we will never stop missing him or stop loving him, and that some days will be harder than others, but we will just take them as we have been- one day at a time.

Services have been scheduled

Obituary from the Idaho Statesman 4/18/13 Glenn A. Haar 1957 - 2013 Glenn Albert Haar left this life far too soon on Sunday, April 14, 2013. He was diagnosed 6 months ago with a brain tumor and he fought this battle the same as he had lived; with valiant determination, dignity, and self-less love for others. He was 56. He was born March 16, 1957 in Gettysburg, South Dakota, to Milton and Irene Haar, the youngest of five children. At the age of 5, he moved to Triumph, Idaho. He attended schools in the Hailey/Ketchum area, graduating from Wood River High School in 1975. He attended Boise State University, majoring in Business Administration Information Sciences, graduating in 3 ½ years in the Honors Program. During his studies, he began an internship program with the State of Idaho. Upon graduation he was offered employment with the State Auditor's Office. He served 35 years as a dedicated employee for the State of Idaho, the last 31 years being with the State Tax Commission. Glenn loved his work and enjoyed the people he worked with. He was a true professional and had a strong work ethic. In 1999, Glenn married the love of his life and his best friend, Linda Rasmussen, and became dad to Lindsay, Jared, and Brennan. As part of his marriage vows he promised them that he would love them as if they were his own children. And he did. His greatest joy however came later when he became Grampa to Jonas and Addison. Nothing made him happier than having them in his life. Glenn was an amazing, peaceful warrior. He had such a profound effect on everyone he touched. His life values were compassion and tolerance, and he taught them by the example he lived his life. He was kind to everyone he met and was loved by all. He will truly be missed by everyone who knew him. He loved cars, computers, and conversations. He loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. Glenn was a life-long learner and a voracious reader. He loved to travel whether it was throughout Idaho, the United States, or foreign countries. He loved people, but most of all, he loved his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Haar, his children, Lindsay (Jared) Stanger, State College, PA, Jared (Jamie) Waters, and Brennan Waters, all of Portland. He also leaves behind his precious grandchildren, Jonas and Addison Stanger and their soon to be born baby brother. Also surviving Glenn are his siblings, Gaylon (Beckie) Haar, Houston, TX, Gary (Peggy) Haar, Boise, Shirley (Frank) Teuscher, Challis, ID, Sharon Williams, Hailey, his beloved brother, Mike Williams, Caldwell, and also his parents-in-law, Gary and Carma Rasmussen, Mapleton, UT, whom loved him as their own son, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 20th, 2013 at Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel in Boise, ID. A viewing will be held from 11:00-12:45 and the service at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be at Dry Creek Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the LDS Chapel at 2650 S Five Mile Road.

In Our Hearts Forever

Today I lost the love of my life, my sweetheart, and my best friend.

After a 6 month 6 day battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer, Glenn Haar peacefully passed away early this morning. Throughout this battle he fought the same as he had lived; with valiant determination, dignity, and self-less love for others. He was loved by all who knew him and our hearts are broken. His life values were compassion and tolerance and he lived them by his daily actions. May we all honor this great man by following his example as we continue with our own lives. He was a peaceful warrior and we will hold him in our hearts forever.

We love you Glenn!

The Last Supper

We have been blessed the past week with so many wonderful memories that will be cherished forever. Having all of the kids home has made the challenging days so much easier. They have been able to spend one-on-one time with Glenn, keeping him company and as he likes to say, "Chattin me up!" He is very weak and his speech is very labored. Although he still loves a good conversation, he now listens more than he talks. I think for some it may be the first time they actually have been able to address their full opinion!

Several nights ago we were getting ready for dinner. Having dinner together as a family has always been an important ritual for our family. When the kids were home we made great efforts to have family dinner together every night. It was a time for all of us to connect at the end of the day and share our day. This particular night, as each person was completing their duties, the table was set and the dinner was ready to be served. Each person had taken their place, places that had been marked decades before, now with leaves added to the table and chairs filled in for spouses and the next generation of children, but we each still had "our" place. We then brought Glenn in to take his place. His place at the head of our table, the head of our home, and the head of our family.

The meal was delicious, the conversations just as appetizing, and the feeling of normalcy delectable. We had our family, and we had everything.

As the kids began clearing the table and cleaning up the kitchen, removing chairs one by one, Glenn put his hand to his heart and looked at me. He said "Do you feel that?" My mind immediately raced to all of the horrific medical nightmares we have experienced the past six months. I panicked that maybe it was too much to get him out of bed, that he had been sitting for too long, that he had eaten something he shouldn't. My first response was "Are you okay? What are you feeling?" He calmly took my hand and put it with his to his heart. He said, "Can you feel that? Can you feel all of the love in this room? Everyone here has so much love for each other. You can feel all of that right here (pointing to his heart). My soul is happy and my life is so complete."

This would be the last dinner Glenn would be able to join us for.

Later that night before falling asleep we were talking about how blessed we are. We have a great life. We have been very blessed with many things. Not once have we talked about what we "own". Our conversations are about who we love, what brings us joy. What we will miss can't be purchased. When the most important thing you have is the love for each other, you cling to it with all that you have. Love makes your life complete.

No news is good news.....

We have had an interesting week. It has been a week of contradictions in a way. All of the kids made it home by Wednesday and we have had such a good time being together. It has been a week of happiness and of sadness. There have been ups and downs, chaos and calm, rallying and retreat, laughing and crying, praying and cursing, acceptance and denial, joy and sorrow.

Glenn has really enjoyed having all of his family around him. It has boosted his spirits and he has rallied as best he can. Sadly, overall he continues to decline. He continues to cling to us and we cherish every day he is with us.