Arlene Rose (Stichweh) Maas, 15 Sep 1929 - 29 Oct 2020

MAAS, STICHWEH, EINSPAHR, WITTE, GULCK, NIEMEIER, KRULL, MOMMENS

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 11/4/2020 at 14:28:36

Arlene Rose Maas was born on September 15, 1929 in Belleville, Illinois. She was baptized on September 22, 1929 at Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, Illinois and confirmed there in 1944. She was the daughter of Henry F. and Susetta L. Einspahr Stichweh.

While growing up, Arlene attended Zion Lutheran Parochial grade school in Belleville where her father was a teacher. The family moved to Plymouth, Nebraska where she graduated from high school in 1948. In 1948 they moved to Conroy, Iowa where she met her future husband Harlan. They were married on September 23, 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Conroy. They raised four children, Michael, Stewart, Patricia, and Phillip.

Arlene spent her entire married life living and working in the Conroy area along with Harlan, who farmed. She very much enjoyed interaction with people, working at the Little Amana Winery, Emma's Tea Room, and volunteering at REA.

Arlene and Harlan lived on the family farm East of Conroy until 1982 when they moved off the farm to Conroy. After Harlan's death in 2008 Arlene continued to live in Conroy until 2011 when she moved to the Highland Ridge Retirement Home in Williamsburg, Iowa. Throughout the years, Arlene's home was always open to, and frequently visited by relatives and friends who might be passing through the area. When she was not at home, her other favorite spot was in a camper looking out over a lake.

Arlene was a kind, happy, positive, thoughtful person, always looking for good in others. Above all, Arlene was a devout Christian, unwavering in her faith to God. Arlene was always in church on Sunday. She also was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church choir, the Ladies Aid, and the ESR Club.

Arlene is survived by her children: Michael (Sandi) Maas of Mendota, IL; Stewart (Deb) Maas of Marengo, IA; Patricia Maas of Williamsburg, IA; and Phillip (Tammy) Maas of Conroy, IA; six beloved grandchildren: Tyler Maas (Kelsey Witte-Maas), Jared Maas (Abigail), Kelsey Maas (Alex Gulck), Tierney Maas, Garrett Maas and Conner Maas; two beloved great-grandchildren: Derek Lee, and Coralie Arlene. Brother-in-law Ed (Carol) Maas; Step-brothers: Donald and Gary Niemeier.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harlan, her parents Henry and Susetta Stichweh, two sisters Aurelia Krull and Loraine Mommens, her Stepfather Emil Niemeier, her Brother-in-law Richard Maas, Step-brother Richard Niemeier, and her beloved grandson Derek Stewart Maas.

Celebration of Life Service will be 1:30 pm on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Conroy. Burial will be at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from12:30 until service time.

A memorial fund has been established for Trinity Lutheran Church, Lutheran Interparish School, Essence of Life Hospice or Highland Ridge. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com. Social distancing and face masks will be required at the church. The service will be live streamed on the Powell Funeral Home Facebook page or on the website. Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg is caring for services.

Published in The Hometown Current on November 4, 2020, an abbreviated version published in The Gazette on October 31, 2020.