Ken "Shorty" Hass

Kenneth LaVern (Shorty) Hass, age 76, of Sparta, WI, formerly of Shakopee, MN, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Monday, October 6, 2025, at Lakeview Health Center and Assisted Living in West Salem, WI. He had lived with multifactorial dementia and frontotemporal degeneration for four years.
Ken was born in Viroqua, WI, on September 8, 1949, to Edward and Mathilda (Fladhammer) Hass, the second of three children. He grew up in Stoddard and was a member of the high school track team, graduating from De Soto Area Schools in 1968. On October 26, 1968, he married Patricia Joan Collier, and together they had a daughter, Paula. Patricia passed away in 1970.
Ken was a man of determination and faith, especially grateful for the 30 years of sobriety he achieved through God's grace. He loved the open road and spent his entire adult life as an over-the-road truck driver until his retirement. Long before GPS was available, he navigated the highways of all 48 contiguous states, knowing the interstates and back roads like the back of his hand. On May 15, 2004, Ken married Carole Paisley. Their early days together were full of humor – on their very first trip, Ken stopped for fuel at a truck stop and accidentally left Carole behind. She married him anyway, and the story became a beloved memory they laughed about for years. Even in his final days, recalling that moment brought a smile to his face.
Ken will be forever missed by his wife of 21 years, Carole; daughter, Paula (Patrick) Brennan; two grandsons, Tanner (Mary) Leaveck, Logan (Samantha) Leaveck; and two great-granddaughters, Aubrey and Lucille Leaveck. Ken is also survived by his brother, Ernest (Sandy) Hass; sister, Ruth Bjornstad; nephews and niece, Ricky (Shelly) Hass, Randy (Teresa) Hass, Ronda Pruett, Mark (Michelle) Hendrickson, and Frederick (Tricia) Hendrickson, and many great-nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia; his parents; and brothers-in-law, Dennis Hendrickson and Gary Bjornstad. We are deeply grateful to the staff of Neshonoc Manor and Ravenwood at Lakeview Health Center and Assisted Living for the extraordinary kindness, patience, and compassion they showed Ken throughout the last 11 months of his life. Your care brought him comfort and dignity every day, and our family will always be thankful.
Services will be held on Saturday, November 8, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 12700 Marystown Road, Shakopee, MN, with visitation from 10am to 11am, followed by a memorial service at 11am.