James Haak, 65, of Herreid, SD, passed away May 8, 2022 at the Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the HMB High School Ben Kalberer Gymnasium, 211 Hazel Ave, Hazelton, ND. A Livestream of James's funeral service will be available at www.dahlstromfuneralservice.com under his obituary. There will also be a Celebration of Life service held on June 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Linton High School Gymnasium.

James Alwin Haak was born August 3, 1956 to Albertus and Mary Ann (Nieuwsma) Haak in Linton, ND. He was raised on the Haak family farm near Hull, ND He graduated from Pollock High School in 1974 and went to attend Northern State University where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Education, graduating in 1979. Years later he continued his education receiving his Master's Degree from Northern State University in 1989. James married LuCinda Knoepfle at Hull Christian Reformed Church in Hull, ND on August 7, 1982. To this union they were blessed with three daughters, Jessica, Victoria and Paulina.

James taught 42 years in special education, retiring from Linton Public School in May of 2021. Throughout his career he taught at Bakker Elementary, Westfield, ND, Cheyenne Eagle Butte, SD, Jamestown Children and Adolescent School, Jamestown Day Treatment School, Hoven, SD, Herreid, SD and Linton, ND always his dream job. During his teaching career James also coached for over 35 years in various sports including, head track coach, jr high football and basketball, grade school basketball and was currently in his 20 ^th year as Head Track and Field coach at Linton HMB.

He was a member of the North Dakota Coaches Association and St. Paul's United Church of Christ where he was the moderator. He was an active church member his entire life and was an advisor to the North Dakota Conference UCC Youth Fellowship for many years. He was also an avid softball player for many years and was part of the Lefty's Team in Eagle Butte that won the regional championship in 1984 and went to Nationals in Kansas City.

He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them and attending any of their events or watching them livestreamed. He loved working with children both in the classroom and on the athletic field. He was a role model and a mentor to many teachers and coaches. He enjoyed mowing, gardening, running or working out and visiting with anyone and everyone.

James is survived by his wife, LuCinda Haak, Herreid, SD; daughters, Jessica (Tony) Edland, Jamestown, ND, Victoria (Nate) Clark, Livingston, MT and Paulina Haak, (Scott Erbele), Lehr, ND; 9 grandchildren, Marshall, Lily, Kenlee and Alyse Edland, Jaxon, Anastacia, David and Ian Clark and Waylon Erbele; brothers, Harlan (Pam) Haak, Fountain Hills, AZ, Renold (Paula) Haak and Thomas (Cassie) Haak of Hull, ND; sisters, Elaine (Russel) Ryckman, Pollock, SD, Angie (John) Howard, Mandan, ND, Louise (Gerold) Bitz, Aberdeen, SD, Alvina Fischer, Eureka, SD and Noreen (Curtis) Dykema, Lisbon, ND; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Florian) Voller, Pollock, SD and many nieces, nephews and in-laws and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albertus and Mary Ann Haak; his brother, Russell Haak; and mother-in-law, Patricia Knoepfle.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to Make A Wish Foundation, Great Plains food bank, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, or a local charity of your choice.