Marie Hasse

Ephesians 5:19-20 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Eunice Marie Hasse, 84, of Haines City, Florida, died peacefully Friday December 20, 2024, in Lakeland, Florida, surrounded by family and close friends.  She was born in Tacoma, Washington, March 15, 1940, to parents Martin and Eunice Galstad.

She was a pianist who taught private lessons for 66 years in her home studios in New Ulm, Minnesota, Winter Haven, Florida, and Haines City, Florida.  Marie was a beloved piano teacher who had a deep influence on her students that led to lifelong friendships that were formed by her secondary roles as counselor and advisor to her students, teaching them life lessons in addition to music.  She was an organist for 56 years in three churches in Polk County, Florida.

She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Central Florida in Orlando and was a long-standing member of and contributor to various groups and organizations in the music industry, including the American Matthay Association (piano), the Florida State Music Teachers Association, and the Ridge Music Teachers Association.  Marie presented lectures, served on boards, committees, as president, vice president, and adjudicator, while nurturing and encouraging countless students who performed at festivals each year.

Her true love was the music of Johann Sebastian Bach which led her to 40 years of singing and performing as a piano accompanist with the Bach Festival of Central Florida, an organization where she also served on the board of directors while being an advocate for the organization that her father, Martin, helped create in the early 1970’s.  She was a supportive friend and colleague to many musicians in Polk County, Florida and surrounding communities.  She loved attending programs of piano, organ, chamber, choral, and symphonic music presented by fellow musicians.

In later years, Marie was also an avid traveler.  She loved New York City and traveled with church choirs to England, Scotland, Italy, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, and Argentina.

She was preceded in death by her father, Reverend Martin Galstad, her mother, Eunice (Abernethy) Galstad, her sister Gudrun (Galstad) Hoffman, and her brother John M. Galstad.  She is survived by her son Jonathan M. Hasse and wife Marianna, her daughter Karin (Hasse) Watts and husband Stephen, grandchildren Taylor and wife Kristen, Garrett, Hunter and wife Laine, and great granddaughter Natalie.

A public service to celebrate Marie's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, 637 6th Street NW, Winter Haven, Florida.

Donations can be made in Marie's name to the Bach Festival of Central Florida: Support the Bach Festival of Central Florida