Johannes “Hans” Aas, M.D. (I ’72)

Dr. Johannes “Hans” Aas, 80, of Duluth, died on Monday August 5, 2019 at the Benedictine Health Center from complications of fronto-temporal dementia. He was born in Varde, Denmark on March 7, 1939 to Richard and Alfhild (Sørensen) Aas and married Martha Borch-Jensen on November 29, 1959 in Denmark.  He worked as a Gastroenterologist at SMDC (now Essentia) until his retirement in 2004.  Hans was a member of First Lutheran Church and the Duluth Rotary Club #25. He was a kind, selfless, and loving man who liked to give big hugs. He was very connected to his Danish heritage, loved to entertain people, serving his famous Danish lunches and aquavit. He visited Denmark every year, and the places he was happiest in this world were at his farm in Denmark, in his berry patch in Duluth, and on his sailboat. He was also a visionary who saw possibilities everywhere. He was involved in Sacred Heart Music Center where he put all his effort into its restoration and development into the multicultural center it is today. He was on the Board of Duluth Festival Opera. He was co-founder with his wife Martha of the Cameroon Health Care Development Program and for nearly 20 years they and their co-workers brought medical expertise, equipment and development to an African hospital system. He was a farmer at heart, established Lakewood Berry Farm and ran it for 38 years. He was a member of the Duluth Keel Club and co-owner of Ursa Furniture Company. In medicine he made his mark as an early developer and promoter of stool transplants.

Hans was preceded in death by his parents, brother Hakon Aas, and his sister Karen Asfeldt.

Hans is survived by his wife of 59 years Martha, children Michael Aas, Peter (Jane) Aas, and Christine (Kris) Aas-Larson, grandchildren Joshua Aas, Kristian (Juan Carlos) Martinez, Clara (Joseph) Severson, Gunnar Aas, Erik Aas, Axel Aas, Bjorn Larson, and Johannes Larson, great-grandchildren Anselm Aas, and Jude Severson. He leaves two sisters in Denmark, Grete Aas and Annelise Fogh Nielsen, former daughter-in-law Marsha Aas, as well as nephews and nieces.

The family wishes to extend its thanks to Marywood and Essentia Hospice for the love and care they showed Hans during the last months of his life.

Visitation will be held on Saturday August 10, 2019 from 10AM until the 11AM Memorial Service in First Lutheran Church.  1100 E. Superior St. Duluth, MN 55802.  Private burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Sacred Heart Music Center.  201 W. 4th St. Duluth, MN 55806.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd St., Duluth, MN 55805.  218-727-3555.