Lloyd Haas Sr. likes to talk even brag. But he also is ready and willing to help a neighbor.

Haas’ wife, Karen, is quieter than her husband, but friendly.

That’s how neighbors described the couple injured in a mysterious explosion early Sunday that tore through their rural Lawrence home, 1808 N. 1100 Road.

“He seemed like just a nice old country gentleman,” one neighbor, Al Pickens, 49, said of Lloyd Haas.

Haas, 69, remained in critical condition Tuesday at a Kansas City area hospital where he was taken by air ambulance after the explosion. Karen Haas, 60, was treated and released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital after the blast.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms continue to investigate the incident. Sheriff Rick Trapp said evidence of an “explosive device” was found at the home. The explosion occurred about 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

Trapp and ATF have released little other information. No arrests have been made.

A window pane at the front of the Haas house has a hole as if something were thrown through it. The window has been boarded up.

Lloyd Haas lived along North 1100 Road for years. He once farmed where some of his neighbors now live, the neighbors said. The explosion has unnerved some of them.

“This is getting a little too close to home,” said Dan Basel, 73, 1830 N. 1100 Road, who lives nearby. “It’s like the terrorists. You can’t let it bother you, but you have to be alert.”

Another neighbor, Mary Rawlings, 47, said she and her husband, Larry Rawlings, 51, were awakened by the helicopter air ambulance landing near the Haas’ home Sunday morning.

“He’s very opinionated but also a very nice gentleman,” Mary Rawlings said. “He’s been a pretty good neighbor.”

Basel and Mary Rawlings said Karen Haas is not as talkative as her husband, but both said she always smiles and waves when they pass.

Lloyd Haas is not friendly with all his neighbors. In recent weeks, he complained to Douglas County Commissioners about a small-scale hog operation at a neighbors’ farm directly west of him.

Haas complained the hogs belonging to Tony and Terri Schwager caused odor, waste and trash problems on his property. A subsequent inspection by a Douglas County zoning and codes inspector and County Commissioner Charles Jones revealed no violations on the Schwager farm.

Terri Schwager recently reported to sheriff’s officers the theft of five baby pigs from the farm. The thefts are under investigation.

Sheriff’s officers wouldn’t comment when asked if the thefts or the ongoing dispute between Haas and the Schwagers might be connected to the bombing.

The Schwagers have been unavailable for comment. Calls to their home by the Journal-World have not been returned.

Neighbors said Haas was a welder. He once worked as a teaching paraprofessional at Lawrence High School. Several vehicles were at the Haas home Tuesday afternoon. The Haases have said they do not want to talk about the incident, and a relative at the house referred questions to the sheriff’s office.

ATF is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the explosion. Another $1,000 reward is being offered by Douglas County Crime Stoppers. Anyone with information about the incident can call 843-TIPS (8477). Callers remain anonymous.