Oscar Maas

Oscar Monroe Maas, 90 years old, of Roberts, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. at his home, surrounded by his loved ones. He was under the care of Shilo Cooley, his granddaughter. Oscar was born March 8, 1920, in Menno, South Dakota, to Henry Maas and Julianna Fink Maas. He was the eleventh of 16 siblings. Oscar is survived by his wife, Melba, sisters, Vernett Guinn of San Pedro, CA; Frances Land of Haskell, TX; Alice Hawkes of Caldwell, ID, sons, Tom (Jodee) Maas of Salmon, ID, Thayne (Karen) Maas of Appleton, WI, Tim (Pat) Maas of Washington, UT; Trent (Lynne) Maas of Glennville, CA; and John Layne Maas of Phoenix, AZ; daughters, Toni (Steve) Watson of Rigby, ID, Tamera (Dave) Taylor of Pleasant Grove, UT, and Marlene (Steve) St. Clair of Layton, UT. He is also the proud grandfather to 41 grandchildren, 52 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Oscar married Melba Cook February 7, 1949, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and was a loving husband and a wonderful father to his family, as well as a pillar of strength and honesty in his community; always willing to go out of his way to help a friend or stranger in time of need. He joined the National Guard in 1928 at the age of 18 and was called to active duty when war broke out in 1941. He shipped out from San Francisco February 22, 1942, and served proudly during World War II as a Corporal with two of his brothers (Ray and Bill), in the 116th Army Corps of Engineers in the South Pacific, receiving the ‘Purple Heart.” He has been the inventor of many useful tools, toys, and various pieces of equipment. In 1948 he became an active member of the Idaho Falls Police force. In addition, many people throughout the country knew him for his controversial Letters to the Editor in the Post Register concerning many environmental and political issues of our time. Oscar has touched many lives and contributed to the well-being of so many. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. It is with heavy hearts that we must now say goodbye to Oscar Maas, husband, father, grandfather and friend to all who have met him. We end this tribute to Oscar with a poem from his memoirs that truly sums up life as he saw it. “What a Life So Little Done Much Too Short But It Was Fun” – O. M. Maas We all love you Dad, Grandpa, Oscar! Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2011, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. prior to the services. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

Memorial Services

2:00 p.m. ,Saturday, January 8, 2011 Wood Funeral Home East Side 963 South Ammon Road Idaho Falls, ID 83406 Notes: The family will visit with friends from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. prior to the services. Burial will be in the Ucon Cemetery.