James Hausauer

James "Jim" Peter Hausauer of Olathe, KS, aged 60 years, was surrounded by his family as he slipped peacefully into the Lord's loving embrace shortly before a beautiful sunrise on the morning of September 4th, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Carol (Wiese) Hausauer (Olathe, KS); his children, Brett (Chicago, IL), Peter (Olathe, KS), Nicholas (St. Louis, MO), and Claire (Olathe, KS); his sisters Sarah Lundberg (Alexandria, MN), Beth (Bob) Kimmes (Hibbing, MN), Kathy (Robert) Ontiveros (Mohave Valley, AZ), Susan (Robert) Hare (Mohave Valley, AZ), and Judy (Mark) Fuller (Ortonville, MN); and his brother John (Linda) Hausauer (Minnetonka, MN). He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Loretta Hausauer, and his brother William.


The seventh of eight children born to Raymond and Loretta Hausauer, Jim came into this world on October 26th, 1955, in Ortonville, MN. Rumor has it that he emerged from the womb in a pressed suit and perfectly-quaffed blonde hair, and when his siblings are asked to recount examples of troublemaking from his youth, a solitary cricket can be heard chirping in the distance. From the very get-go he exhibited an insatiable curiosity, incisive wit, and unflappable humility that would define him throughout his life. He had a keen interest in sports, both as participant and as spectator, and played football, baseball, and basketball at a high level from childhood onwards. He attended primary and secondary school in Ortonville before departing for college at St. John's University (Collegeville, MN), where he served as team statistician for the football program, studied mathematics and German, and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in 1978. After graduation, Jim moved to Sioux Falls, SD, to embark on a career in actuarial sciences. Here he finally mustered the courage to talk to a girl for the first time and charmed the beautiful Carol Hausauer, with whom he purchased a shoe-box-sized home and started his family. The burgeoning Hausauer clan would move from Sioux Falls to Fishers, IN, and then onward to Olathe, KS, where they ultimately set down roots and welcomed the last of their four children into being.


In each of the communities in which he lived, Jim was a model father, brother, husband, son, coach, colleague, and friend. He always conducted himself with a stolid, quiet dignity that belied a brilliant mind and fun-loving spirit. Scholars maintain that he invented the "dad joke," as his wry dead-pans were in endless supply and never missed their mark. His favorite pastimes included playing softball, criticizing (but always watching) reality TV series such as Survivor and The Bachelor, never missing a single one of his kids' performances or events (piano recitals, awards banquets, ball games, etc., however painfully bad they may have been), and contriving creative ways to enjoy everyday occurrences (like betting on the length of the National Anthem during the Super Bowl). He threw a wicked knuckleball and likely never lost a game of trivia in his life. Bottlecaps candies and lime popsicles (but one-half of a twin pop, never a full single)... his tastes were simple and sometimes quizzical.


After a four-plus-year struggle against cancer, our beloved Jim never relinquished his hopefulness, his faith, his integrity, his work ethic, or his love for his family. He will be dearly missed.


Jim's family would like to extend thanks to all who have helped to enrich his and our lives with their presence. In lieu of flowers, please commend any memorial donations to Hospice House of Olathe. Never one to skip a meal, one of Jim's final wishes was that everyone join us for lunch following his service.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 8 from 6-8pm at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S Blackbob, Olathe, KS, followed by Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, September 9 at 12:30 pm at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 16000 W. 143rd St., Olathe, KS.