Corinne Rose Haschke

Corinne Rose Farrell Haschke age 95 was the firstborn of five children to Robert C. and Rose Marie (Schagemann) Farrell in Chicago. She was also gifted to be the first grandchild. Corinne passed Friday, August 25, 2023, to her next adventure, in the comfort of her immediate family and grandchildren.

Corinne, a city girl who grew up during the depression, worked at the early age of twelve. She was a giving person then and remained so during her long life. Corinne graduated from Josephinum High School, maintaining high scores in preparation for an executive secretarial profession in Chicago. She once worked for a sales & marketing firm in the Wrigley Building and enjoyed double dating at dances in Chicago, with such favorites as the Aragon Room.

Corinne moved to Rockford, IL where she met her future spouse at a hiking club event. She and Anthony C. Haschke married and raised five children in Illinois and later in Colorado. They emphasized good manners, being responsible, the importance of social skills; instilling the goal of graduating from college, an opportunity which evaded them. Their four daughters; Maureen McClatchey, Debbie Melnik, Laura Biewick, Chris Haas, and son Tony Haschke, did indeed accomplish this goal.

Corinne was the grandmother of ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was a literacy volunteer and belonged to several organizations where she carefully drove her senior friends to and from meetings/luncheons. Her sense of humor was enjoyed by many who received her lengthy handwritten Christmas letters and those who witnessed her sharp wit and timing in telling jokes. Although she outlived her abundance of friends she will be missed not only by her family, but many friends of her children and many who knew Corinne for only a short while.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be offered for Corinne at St. Louis Parish on Friday, September 15 at 11 am followed by burial beside her beloved "Tony", Anthony C. Haschke, at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to The Sleep Research Society Foundation, National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, | NHLBI, NIH

https://members.sleepresearchsociety.org/SRSMembers/SRSDonations/Donate_Now.aspx?WebsiteKey=d24ffe00-79ee-4d9f-8c2c-a082ecebff50


Eulogy for Corinne Rose Farrell Haschke
Delivered by Corinne's son, Tony, at the funeral mass.

I would like to start with a sincere thank you to everyone here today and to the parish of St. Louis Church. I received my First Holy Communion and Confirmation here, as well as performing lectern duties as a young man. I went to 3rd through 6th grade at the St Louis School across the street. Mom pulled me from public schools because I wasn't learning my reading, writing, and arithmetic, ya know, the three Rs, even though only one starts with an R! LOL! Well, boy did I learn! I also remember many Sunday Masses here listening to my dad as lectern.

My most memorable day here was the mass for my dad's funeral. He passed at the early age of 51, I was about thirteen at the time. These pews were packed with a full house of friends, family, community members, postal workers and people from his mail routes. Yes, I am the son of a mailman! Many traveled from all parts of the country to attend. I remember the funeral procession to the cemetery as the longest I've ever witnessed in my lifetime. The large outpouring was not just for my dad but was to support my mom. You see she just tragically lost her soul mate.

Mom was now a single mom with five kids, granted three had already moved on to college, but all five of us were in need of much love and guidance. Our mom was a caring, loving mom, but it was a harsh love. She was determined that we have better lives than she and her parents had. She instilled honesty, integrity, loyalty, and many other traits into her children. Maureen, the oldest, became a PhD biostatistician; Debbie with teaching degree, patiently taught many special needs kids and adults; Laura, a geologist, worked for the USGS her entire career; Chrissie became a Civic Technologist in the IT world; and myself, a licensed Professional Engineer. So, you see, mom raised us with goals and ambitions.

Mom also taught us to volunteer and to serve our fellow man. She volunteered at the Ladies Auxiliary and drove many friends to appointments as they got older. She also supported dad with his volunteering with the NALC (National Association of Letter Carriers). They both volunteered and were involved in the parish(s) wherever they lived. She instilled in us to be humble as well as how to succeed.

When I would fall or fail, she would pick me up, brush me off, and pat me on the behind. She would ask what went wrong, why did this happen? I usually did not have answers, but it made me think and analyze. Mom did not tolerate us making the same mistake twice. We may have failed numerous times but not for the same reason. When we did succeed, she would praise us and make us feel proud of the accomplishments. She taught me when to listen, when to be bold, and when to speak my mind.

I remember her stretching the family budget with S&H Green Stamps or by going to discount food stores with big boxes and black grease pens for marking the quantity and price. She instilled frugality into our lifestyles. I remember the usual chores we had, but also the list on the fridge to earn our own money, a quarter for vacuuming, a dime for dusting, etc. I remember the thrill of using that money to buy a new Estes rocket, or candy at the local 5 and dime.

Mom enjoyed her many grandkids, step grandkids, and great-step-grandkids as well. Maybe I should say tolerated! LOL! For mom was a stickler with the little ones. She was a very caring and nurturing grandma to my son AJ. She enjoyed him coming over and building his trucks in her garage. She dearly enjoyed her relationships with Heather and Luke, and Stephanie and Teddy. Mom praised her step grandkids Melissa, Leah, Candy, Tara, and Jordan.

One of mom's favorite activities with family was to go out to eat. She always insisted on paying. With dinner she often enjoyed ordering a glass of wine. Her favorite restaurant was the ole Spaghetti Factory. Another favorite activity was card and board games. I remember as many of you probably do too, staying up late playing Aggravation or Tripoli.

She was always the life of the party. Her Irish accent when telling Irish jokes was classic. She enjoyed large family gatherings. Many here will remember family reunions and birthday gatherings. She made it to her 95th birthday this last month, quite an accomplishment! We have all watched loved ones slow down and fade in the last parts of their lives; yet we need to remember them when they were vibrant and full of life. For today is a sad day, and we all will grieve in our own ways and in our own time; but let's not forget today is a day of Joy as we celebrate the life of my mom: Corinne Rose Farrell Haschke. May God Have Mercy on her Soul!