Lauren D. F. Haacke
Lauren Donald Frederick Haacke, the third child of Rev. Ernst and Ida Haacke was born September 18, 1927 in Minneapolis, MN. Lauren grew up in Arthur and Steele, ND, and graduated from Steele High School. Shortly after graduation at 16 1/2 years of age he joined the Navy and served in World War II until the end of the war.
He then returned to Minnesota and graduated from Concordia College at Moorhead in 1950. He entered Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis and graduated from there during the summer of 1950. On August 20, 1950 Lauren married Barbara (Bobbie) Jackson at Leonard, ND. They made their home in Dickinson, ND and while there, became the proud parents of two children, Suzanne and David.
Lauren served KDIX Radio and TV in Dickinson for 36 years. Early in his radio career he was known as “Platter Happy, Platter Pappy, Disc Jockey, Big Daddy Haacke” and was thrilled recently when ND Senator Byron Dorgan enthusiastically greeted him using that handle. He later became Executive Vice-President and General Manager of KDIX television.
In Dickinson, Lauren was active in the Dickinson Elks Lodge 1137, and for many years served as secretary of the lodge. He loved being a part of the Elks Sodbuster band, playing his tenor sax at all the get-togethers, and acting as their only Treasurer until 1986 when he moved from Dickinson. He was also the travel arranger for the band as they traveled North Dakota playing engagements to earn money to go to the National Conventions in New Orleans and Denver. Lauren was a member of Rotary International, serving as President at one time. At the local Friar’s Club he was well known for his famous “minutes of the last meeting.” He was a former President of the Dickinson Park Board, and served as a member of the board for many years.
Some of his biggest achievements were bringing the military jet to Rocky Butte Park, and having it installed there; developing and raising the funding for Prairie Outpost Park; and starting a summer concert program at the bandshell at Rocky Butte park which featured various bands from the area. Lauren was the MC for that program. He was active in the local Chamber and served a term as President. Lauren was on the Alumni Board (1968—1971), and the Board of Regents of his beloved Concordia College for two terms (1972—1980).
On July 23, 1982 Lauren married Cheryl Anderson Jones at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dickinson, ND. They moved to Sioux Falls in 1985 and 1986 where Lauren was employed as Director of Sales and Marketing for Southwest Tours. When the owner closed that company in 1988, Lauren became an employee of Jack Rabbit Charters and Tours and worked diligently there for 16 years until his retirement in December of 2004. Lauren was a wonderful promoter and under his leadership the Jack Rabbit Marketplace and Travel Show grew to become one of the leading such shows in the Upper Midwest.
In Sioux Falls, Lauren became as involved in community and church events as he had been in North Dakota. He volunteered at Main Street Sioux Falls and was honored as their volunteer of the year for 2004. He played in three area bands: the Augustana College Community Band, the Lennox Community Band where he served as MC for many years and the El Riad Shrine Big Band. He loved music and he and Cheryl would travel to various places to hear the big band sounds. One of their favorites was under the leadership of Norman Leyden of the Portland Symphony. At one time Lauren sang base in the Norse Glee Club, and had been in the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Choir for many years. He was an active Stephen Minister and a past member of the Caring Ministries Board serving two terms there. Lauren loved shining up his convertible for the El Riad Shrine Classie Autos events and was active in that group. He was currently serving as Chair of the Transportation Board of the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, Vice-President of the Nordland Heritage Foundation, and Concordia College Area Alumni Representative (CAAR).
He was also a past member of Rotary International in Sioux Falls. Lauren was a kind, compassionate man, with a great zest for life. He didn’t know what it was to waste a moment. He was meticulously organized in everything he did and lived every day as though it were his last.