Maass, John C. 1894-1953

MAASS, LOPAU, SEEL, NITZSCHKE, PEPPERD, RITCHIE, KOHNKE

Posted By: Kay Fordham (email)
Date: 6/2/2007 at 20:06:15

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon for John C. Maass, 58, prominent retired farmer, who passed away in the Sacred Heart hospital, Le Mars, Friday, October 2.

Mr. Maass had suffered a severe heart attack in his home early Thursday, September 17 and had been a hospital patient since. The end came at 12:30 a.m. Friday.

Born on a farm south of Remsen, December 8, 1894, he was the son of Henry and Marie Lopau Maass and spent his boyhood on the farm and attended the rural schools of the neighborhood.

He married Ella Seel, August 14, 1919, and the couple farmed south of town until retiring to Remsen in 1945 when they bought the present family home in the southeast part of Remsen.

Mr. Maass enlisted in the army during World War I and after his honorable discharge returned to continue his farm work. He was a member of Pieper Post, American Legion and of Dickman Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith as a child during his eight years as a resident of Remsen and was a strong and active member of Christ Lutheran congregation which he served as a trustee.

Mr. Maass was a highly devoted husband, father and brother and a loyal and admired friend to hundreds in this community. He was a highly successful farmer for many years and was considered one of the outstanding citizens of Remsen whose early passing was a source of keen regret to all.

Besides the heartbroken widow, survivors include six children, six grandchildren, a sister and three brothers.

The children are: Mrs. August (Loretta) Nitzschke, Remsen; Mrs. Pat (Eilene) Pepperd, Flagstaff, Ariz.; Mrs. Joe (Wilma) Ritchie, Kingsley; Arnold, Sioux City, and Floyd and Kenneth at home.

A sister is Mrs. Fred (Clara) Seel, brothers are Frank and Henry, and a half-brother is Otto H. Kohnke, all of Remsen.

The body was at the Moeller funeral home where wake was held Saturday. Services conducted by the Rev. R. W. Meyer of Marcus, acting pastor of Christ Lutheran, were held at the funeral home at 1:30 and in the church at 2 o'clock, with a large attendance. Interment was in the Remsen cemetery, with military honors by the two servicemen's posts.

Pallbearers were August Erichsen, Herman Erichsen, Edw. Nitzschke, Fred Raetz, Ferd Arens and Fred Steffen. Flower bearers were Mrs. Florence Schmitz, Mrs. Edw. Nitzschke, and Mrs. Homer Ritchie.

Source: Le Mars Globe Post, October 8, 1953