Fredrick J. Mauss 1917-2006
HAMMELL, MAUSS, MURPHY, BORST, LAMOREAUX
Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 10/22/2006 at 18:57:50
Fredrick J. Mauss
Fredrick J. Mauss, a self-effacing man of quiet dignity, deep faith, wry humor, and fierce determination, died on Tuesday September 26, 2006, at the age of 89.
Fred was born on April 15, 1917, to George and Florence Hammell Mauss. He grew up on the family farm outside New Albin, Iowa, on Gruber Ridge, and his life was indelibly marked by the major events in our countrys history during the first half of the last century‚ the Great Depression and World War II.
In 1935, after two years of high school, Fred, then 18 years old, joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, sending most of his earnings back to his family. A year later, he returned home to finish his education. After graduation, he worked construction when there was work to be had; traveled with his brothers west to the Dakotas when there was work there; and even spent some time hopping trains, looking for work and living when necessary off the kindness of others. He returned home after he was injured hopping a train, and worked construction and at his mother's chicken hatchery until he was drafted in May 1941.
Twenty-four-year-old Fred Mauss was one of the first young men from New Albin to be drafted. The United States had not yet entered the war and he was sent first to St. Louis, Missouri and then to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he received the news that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. Fred was shipped off, first to Ireland; then to North Africa, where he fought in the battle of Hill 609; and then to Italy and the battles of Anzio and Cassino. He was overseas for 39 months and received four bronze stars, a combat infantry badge, 6 overseas bars, and a good conduct medal. In April 1945 he was sent home on rotation, but was never reassigned because the war ended. As was the case with many other soldiers, he received no psychological counseling and no heros welcome. On his return, he hitched-hiked into New Albin, which seemed then like a strange new world to him.
Fred took up his carpentry tools again and began to re-assimilate. One evening at a dance, he met Laurayne Murphy from nearby Wexford, Iowa, and they married on October 15, 1947. They moved to New Albin and bought a house that Fred called home for the rest of his life. Initially Fred worked at a foundry and did logging and other odd jobs, until he took a position at the Mendenhall Lumber Yard in New Albin. In August 1948, a son, Robert Joseph, was born, the first of ten children, six boys and four girls. Though proud of his service to his country and an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, his battle experiences affected him deeply. Even when their youngest children were in high school, Laurayne would wake up to find Fred praying in his sleep, and he embraced a life of peace as profoundly as he had courageously faced war.
Fred and Laurayne's world revolved around their large family. Whether it was due to his German industriousness or to the years growing up during the Depression, hard work was a major focus of Fred's life. In 1964, when the Mendenhall Lumber Yard was bought by Great Plains Supply, he stayed on for another 15 years before retiring in 1979. Work even filled his off hours, and the supply of stove wood he added to each year threatened to grow larger than the house it heated. The family lived simply in that small house, and Fred raised chickens and kept bees. His bee-keeping might be seen as emblematic of the way he faced the trials life presented and worked with them until they produced sweetness.
In 1998, Fred was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. With some help from the children, Laurayne was able to care of Fred until the disease had progressed sufficiently to require getting more professional assistance. It was then that a true angel of mercy entered their lives. Donna Mahr began helping Laurayne take care of Fred in their home in 2003. The following year when Fred needed full-time care, Donna continued working with him, along with the dedicated staff of Thornton Manor in Lansing, Iowa.
On Friday, September 29, 2006, after a Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Fr. Daniel Knipper, Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg, Msgr. Cletus Hawes, and Father Donald Hawes, Fred was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in New Albin with military rites accorded by the Kenneth Casey Post #5603 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Fred is survived by Laurayne, his wife of 58 years; his son, Robert "Bob" (Dierdre) Mauss, New Orleans, LA; his son Edward "Ed" (Shirley) Mauss of Sioux Falls, SD; his son Victor "Vic" (Dolly) Mauss of Kennewick, WA; his son Francis "Frank" Mauss of Lansing, IA; his son Daniel "Dan" (Billie) Mauss of Kennewick, WA; his son Paul (Kimberly) Mauss of Onalaska, WI; his daughter Ellen Mauss of Madison, WI; his daughter Rose (John) Borst of San Jose, CA; his daughter Joan (Tim) LaMoreaux of Glenwood Springs, CO; his daughter Jean Mauss of Des Moines, Iowa; twenty grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his brother Mark Mauss of Waukon, IA; his brother Bernard (Lucille) Mauss of New Albin, IA; and his sister-in-law, Beatrice Mauss of Lansing, IA. Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Connie Mauss; and, his sister-in-law, Mary Mauss.
Waukon Standard, October 4, 2006
Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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