Visitation Friday, December 28, 2007 After 4:00 PM
Ohde Funeral Home Manning, Iowa
Funeral Service Saturday, December 29, 2007 10:30 AM
Zion Lutheran Church Manning, Iowa
Reverend Patrick Sparling, Officiating
Crucifer Lillian Vauble
Music "Lift High The Cross" "On Eagle's Wings" "My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less" "How Great Thou Art" Congregation
Carolyn Kerkhoff, Accompanist

Casket 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.

Don and Betty Maasen

Back: Darlis, Doug, Starr, Sharon, Dennis, Donna.
Front: Tim, Betty, Don, Dave.

Don and Betty (Koch) Maasen were married in February of 1942. They lived in the Manning area from 1942 until 1960. They were members of Zion Lutheran Church. Don worked for Walt Miller as a hired hand and helped shell corn for area farmers.

Their children attended grade school in Manning except for Darlis who went to the Ar-We-Va School. They farmed with Don's dad Fred while they lived on the John Opperman farm. From there they moved to the Frank Stoelk farm and then to Westside, Iowa. Don worked for the Crawford County Highway Department. Betty was employed at the Ar-We-Va School in the hot lunch department.

Don and Betty's children graduated from Ar-We-Va High School. They have four children: Dennis married Sharon Kaspersen and they live in Westside. Denny is manager of Echo Electric in Carroll. They have four children and nine grandchildren: Dave married Donna Ramsey and they live in Johnston. They have three children and two grandchildren. David is Director of Operations for Channel-Prima Alliance in Des Moines. Doug married Starr Brotherson and they live in Missouri Valley. They have four children and one grandchild; Doug is Vice President of Sales for Echo Electric of Council Bluffs. Darlis married Tim Vauble and they live in Omaha. They have two children. Darlis is Executive Coordinator for Woodman Mortgage Services of Omaha.

Don and Betty have been active in several organizations over the years and plan to be Manning residents again in the near future. They are members of Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia and have retired.

Fred and Alma (Bartels) Maasen

Fred and Alma had two children: Ladean (McClellan) and Donald Lowell. They had six grandchildren: Ala and Jobe McClellan of Denison, and Dennis, David, Douglas and Darlis Maasen.

Fred and Alma went to the Five-Mile House every Sunday night to dance. Alma was a waitress and Fred worked in the checkroom. They belonged to a birthday card club, the women played Rummy in the house and the men played in the garage or corncrib. Every Saturday night they would drive to Manning and park on Main Street to visit with everyone.

Ladean & Donald Maasen