Stephan Hass had this picture taken for his parents before he left for Viet Nam. For unknown reasons he did not have a senior photo taken in time for the class collage. His family came to GMG High School on his 68th birthday and the 50th year of his graduation from Garwin High school. This photo will be incorporated in the Garwin Class of 1965 wall hanging.

Thanks to the tenacity of GMG Sixth Grader Xander Bowers, the photo of his Great Uncle Stephen Hass will be added to the collage of the Garwin High School Class of 1965. For some unknown reason Stephan did not get a senior photo taken to be displayed with the rest of his class.

Xander says his family has talked about Stephan and he “knows the story by heart and just thought getting the picture up there was something they could do”. So on Stephen Hass’ 68thbirthday, October 16, the Hass Family gathered at GMG High School and made arrangements to have Stephen’s photo added to that of the Class of 1965.

The family notes, “We are extremely grateful to Mr. Polich (high school Principal) for helping us get Stephan’s photo added to that of his class.”

Stephen was the son of Leslie and Alma Hass. Mrs. Hass is 94 and lives in Marshalltown. She was unable to join the extended family on October 16.

Back in the early sixties Bob Nielsen, now of Marshalltown, and Stephan Hass were inseparable and best buddies. Bob in the class of 1964 and Stephen in the class of 1965 were known as phenomenal Pepper players. Bob says, “We spent hours playing Pepper. We would take on anybody.” He also added that he sometimes got in big trouble with his girlfriend, now wife, because of the Pepper card games.

Photo by Margaret Thomsen The memory of 1965 Garwin High school graduate, Stephen Hass, was honored on Stephen’s 68th birthday on October 16. His extended family gathered at the GMG High School. They viewed the group photo of the Class of 1965 and made arrangements to have Stephen’s photo added. For unknown reasons he had not had a senior photo, but did have a professional one taken for his parents before he left for service. Stephen died in Viet Nam on June 21, 1967. Hass Family pictured included: Great Nephew Tage Bowers, Brother-in-law Ambrose Lang, Great Nephew Xander Bowers, Brother Alan Hass of near Gettysburg, PA; Niece Stephanie Bowers, holding Great Niece Phoebe Bowers; Sister Deb Long, Brother-in-law Ken Coppick (husband of Sister Sandra) from Winterset; GMG Principal Mark Polich and Brody Bowers in front. The Lang and Bower Families are from the Marshalltown area. Not present for the picture were Mom Alma Hass and sisters Mary Lamothe and Clara Peters.

Bob said, “Stephen was a heck of a good kid, heck of a good buddy, always came if you were in trouble, he was always there for you. . .. He has been gone since 1967 and I have always placed flowers on his grave – except for when I was away in service – I never miss putting something on the grave. He was my best buddy and it is still very hard to talk about him.”

The story of the short life of Stephen Hass following Garwin High School Graduation in May of 1965 takes us back to the years of the Viet Nam War. It was raging and Stephan was drafted. But before he left he had the foresight to have a picture taken for his parents – just in case. Stephan was drafted in November 1966 and took his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. In April of 1967 Stephan joined Company C 2ndBattalion 28th Regiment of the 1st Division and deployed to Viet Nam.

On June 21, 1967 Private First Class Stephan Hass gave up his life for his country. Navy man, C.E.3 Larry Dahms also of Garwin was killed in Viet Nam in 1970. A flag pole is erected in their memory in the Garwin City Park.