In Memory of Donald L. Maasen
Visitation
Friday, December 28, 2007 After 4:00 PMCasket Bearers Brad Maasen, Scott Maasen, Shane Maasen, Kalee Vauble, Ryan Maasen, Troy Maasen, Travis Maasen, Kirk Maasen
Honorary Casket Bearers Shawna Wagner, Shayla Maasen, Stacey Maasen, Halie Maasen, Lillian Vauble
Interment Manning Cemetery Manning, Iowa
Donald Lowell, son of Fred and Alma (Bartels) Maasen, was born March 24, 1921, at Carroll, Iowa. He grew up near Westside and attended rural schools. He then attended Westside Consolidated School before starting to work on the farm for Walt Miller.
On February 17, 1942, Don was united in marriage to Betty J. Koch at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Four children were born to this union. They farmed in the Manning area for 15 years and in 1957 moved to a farm in the Westside area. After moving into Westside in 1961, Don hauled milk from area dairy farms for Lytton Creamery for several years. He then began his 27 years working for Crawford County driving a road maintainer, retiring in 1987.
Don was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia. He enjoyed volunteering for several church related organizations, including Camp Okoboji, Lutheran Family Services of Fort Dodge, and the Lutheran Layman's League where he was an officer at the local and district level. Don served on the Westside City Council and as president of Westside Community Club. Over the years he enjoyed camping, fishing, and bowling. He earned his private Pilots' license and enjoyed flying for many years. Don was a very social person and always made others feel good.
Don and Betty moved to Manning in 2006 after being on a waiting list for a retirement apartment for five years. In July of 2007 his health began to deteriorate and he was hospitalized a number of times. He last entered Manning Regional Healthcare Center on Friday before his death on December 26, 2007, at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 2 days.
Preceding Don in death are his parents and sister Ladean and her husband John McClellan.
He is survived by his wife Betty of Manning; four children: Dennis Maasen and wife Sharon of Westside; David Maasen and wife Donna of Johnston; Douglas Maasen and wife Starr of Missouri Valley; and Darlis and husband Timothy Vauble of Omaha, NE; 13 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 3 sisters-in law: Maxine Namanny of Coon Rapids; Shirley Walde of Westside and Jolene Meyer of Carroll; brother-in-law Leonard Koch of Manning; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.