Leroy Maas, 90, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Friday, July 19, 2024, at Caring Acres in Anita.
Leroy Ernest was born on May 10, 1934, three miles southwest of Wiota, Iowa, the son of Clifford Ernest and Ruth Geneva (Smith) Maas. He grew up in the same area and reminisced about helping his dad on the farm as a boy. Leroy recalled a few “incidents” with the horses as he was farming and doing chores. His love of tractors started at a young age; John Deere being his favorite. Leroy in recent years enjoyed going to threshing day shows throughout southwest Iowa.
On March 23, 1983, he was united in marriage Virginia Mae Fickel. The couple flew to Arizona for their honeymoon, even though Virginia was scared of flying. They toured Arizona and also Yuma, California. The flight down was a little rough so Leroy flew back and Virginia took the bus home; always chuckling when they joked that Leroy got ditched on the honeymoon.
In addition to working on the farm, Leroy worked as a janitor for 25 years at O’Brien Brothers Sewing Factory in Leon, IA and after moving to Atlantic at ServiceMaster and the Cass County Memorial Hospital.
Leroy was a collector through and through from his 50,000 baseball cards to his many arrow heads that he spent countless hours hunting for. He enjoyed puzzles and watching baseball; GO CARDINALS! His cheering on the Cardinals happened by coincidence; he started as a Chicago Cubs fan but since they always played during the day he couldn’t listen to the games on the radio and at night the St. Louis Cardinal games were on.
Leroy is survived by his wife, Virginia; sisters, Geneve (Virgil) Houk, Linda (Jessie) Rumly and Mary Blake; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Ruth Maas; sister, Marie Margaret (Richard) Vanderflute; and brother-in-law, Larry Blake.
A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 9th at Caring Acres Nursing and Rehab in Anita. Prior to the service at 1:00 p.m., Friday, the burial will take place at the Massena Center Cemetery, north of Massena.
The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon on Saturday.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Leroy’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
