Lydia Maas

Lydia Maas, 96, Jamestown, ND, died May 27, 2011 at Ave Maria Village nursing home in Jamestown.

Lydia was born September 13, 1914 on a farm in Logan County, about six miles south of Streeter, ND, the daughter of John and Katherine (Just) Meidinger. She attended various one-room schools in the Streeter and Gackle area as her parents farmed in different locations. She and her twin brother, Ted, were confirmed in 1928 at St. Luke’s American Lutheran Church in Streeter where all the classes and worship services were conducted in German. In 1932 she moved with her parents to a farm in the Sydney area where she met Walter William Frank Maas who lived nearby. On Sept. 25, 1935 they were married in Aberdeen, SD. They lived in Jamestown for seven years before moving to a farm nine miles northwest of Jamestown in 1942. They farmed there for 30 years and moved into Jamestown in 1972. Lydia and Walter were married for 53 years before Walter’s death in 1989.

Lydia was a devoted wife and mother who worked tirelessly on the farm while raising six children. When the Pipestem Dam and Reservoir forced them off the farm, Walt and Lydia became fully involved in the apartment rental business. In retirement, she enjoyed gardening and took great pride in her home where she was able to live independently until moving to the nursing home four months ago. She and Walter were active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Lydia enjoyed the activities and fellowship of the Lutheran Church Women’s Circle. In 2005, she completed and published her autobiography, which is treasured by all her family. She will be sadly missed and remembered with love and affection by her family and all who have known her.

She is survived by four sons, two daughters and their spouses, Eugene V. Maas (Norma), Riverside, CA; Duane W. Maas (Peggy), Bloomington, MN; Marvin R. Maas (Jane) and Ronald R. Maas (Charlotte) both of Huntington Beach, CA; Donna M. Tees (Wayne), Jamestown and Carol J. Peterson (Jim), Milnor, ND. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, and one sister, Emma Letcher, Jamestown.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Ted and Peter, one sister, Bertha Letcher, and one granddaughter, Cheryl Tees.

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND on Monday, June 6 at 11:00 am. There will be no visitation.

Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The committal service will precede the memorial service and those wishing to participate should gather at the cemetery at 9:30 am.

There will also be a prayer service and evening of remembrance at the Quality Inn, 507 25th Street SW, Jamestown, on Sunday, June 5 at 7:00 pm. Coffee and dessert will be served.