Ria von Haas

 Maria Christina von Haas—known to just about everyone as “Ria,” and to her favorite little humans as “Auntie Ria”—left this world on Sunday November 16, 2025 wrapped in love, color, and the brightness she carried everywhere she went. Born in Bad Tölz, Germany on April 28, 1977, Ria brought a spark from the very beginning, one she never stopped sharing.

Ria was a twin, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a fur mama, and the ultimate giver.

A lifelong animal-lover, Ria cared for more cats over the years than anyone could possibly count, and she was inseparable from her beloved service dog, Creed. Together, they explored parks, reservoirs, trails, and traveled together.

Ria was animated, outgoing, and always up for an adventure. She traveled whenever she could and dreamed big, hoping one day to become a funeral director and own her own funeral home filled with all the warmth she naturally gave away. She served others in every season of her life—as a nurse, a phlebotomist, a homemaker, a mentor, and a friend whose love language was giving. If someone needed help, a laugh, or a soft place to land, Ria showed up with open arms…and usually with a ton of food!

She also had a playful, cozy side: she loved football (especially cheering on her Denver Broncos), watching Bridgerton and Gilmore Girls, scrolling Instagram reels of cats, and enjoying her favorites—tater tots, Sweetart rope candy, candy in general, comfy socks, and anything that made life a little more fun. She never missed a chance to support Chad in baseball, volleyball and bowling; being his biggest fan was one of her favorite ways to support & love him. And no matter where she was headed, Ria always made sure to look cute and dolled up—she loved expressing herself through bright colors, fun outfits and her SHOES!

A cheerleader and theater girl in high school, Ria never lost her flair for fun. She was funny, playful, and positively unmatched when it came to spoiling her nieces and nephews. Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Bright and Goonies shirt throwbacks—if it made someone smile, she wore it proudly.

Ria also carried a story of immense courage. She faced more than her fair share of struggles and accidents throughout her life, each one testing her spirit but never breaking it. After a motorcycle accident cost her part of her right leg in 2006, she rebuilt her life with determination and heart. She longed to mentor others navigating new amputations, offering the same strength she discovered within herself. She found her ‘place’ with the Hanger organization and Empowerfest empowering human potential.

She also carried a deep heartbreak: the unexpected passing of her beloved dad in October 2022. His loss forever changed her, and she missed him every single day. In her recent hospital stays, she often spoke of seeing him—and other beloved family and friends who had gone before her. These moments brought her great comfort and reminded her she was never facing anything alone.

In her quieter moments, Ria loved snuggling up with a movie, buried under her collection of soft, fuzzy blankets. Music, reading books, long walks with Creed—all these simple joys filled her days. In recent years, her faith grew stronger, giving her peace and purpose that shone brightly to those around her.

Ria lived life with compassion and with a heart too big to measure. Her legacy isn’t just in what she did, but in how she made people feel—seen, loved, and lifted.

Instead of saying goodbye, we say thank you, Ria. Thank you for the laughter, the kindness, the courage, the sparkle, and the love you sprinkled across our lives. You will live on in every pink sunrise, every fuzzy blanket, every Broncos cheer, and every act of kindness done in your spirit.

She loved her family deeply and fiercely. She is survived by her mother, Marie von Haas; her twin sister, Magi von Haas Boogaard, and her husband, Eric, along with their children, Marcus and Michaela; her brother, Franz von Haas, and his wife, Stefanie, along with their children, Zuri and Zander; and her sister, Kati von Haas Martinez, and her husband, Isaac, along with their children, Micah and Kain; and her husband, Chad Williams. She is also survived by her fur babies: Creed, Rashford, Princess, Pumpkin, Grey, and Parker.

We would love for you to share your favorite memories and photos of Ria in the guestbook below.

We will be celebrating Ria's life Saturday December 6, 2025 from 2pm-4pm in Lakewood, Colorado

Flowers can be sent directly to the celebration of life and purchased from Veldkamps. 303.232.2673  The link below is inactive. Tell them the date and Ria's name. 
Cards for the celebration of life can be sent to Magi. Please contact Magi for additional details on location, etc. - makeithappenmagi at gmail