Orville "Dick" Maas

Orville “Dick” Martin Maas, 88, of Duluth, passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center.  He was born June 10, 1929, to Hubert and Frances (Ehalt) Maas in St. Bonifacius, MN.  Dick married Viola O. Struck in St. Bonifacius on April 18, 1953.  He had many talents over the years.  As a young adult he worked with his father moving houses, after which time he entered the Army serving in the Korean War.  Upon his return home and marriage to Vi he worked in multiple meat markets as a meat cutter and began work for the Minnesota Department of Transportation in the Minneapolis area as a laborer.  He eventually transferred to Duluth where he retired as Maintenance Superintendent at age 57. He and Viola lived in Gnesen Township on their hobby farm for 45 years enjoying gardening and raising animals.  Dick was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church-Gnesen, and worked as a volunteer firefighter and road grader operator for the Township for several years.  Dick was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Marvin.  He is survived by his loving wife, Viola, of nearly 65 years; his brother Jim; his seven children:  Shirley (Dennis) Lorenz, Ruth Maas, Larry (Sherrie), Kathy (Doug) Anderson, Laura (Michael) Sharp, Tony, and Mary (Brad) Jones; eleven grandchildren:  Erik (Sherrie) Lorenz,  Patrick (Crystal) Lorenz, Nicole (Sean) Miller, MeKaylla (Allen) Weaver, Angelina Perry, Amanda (Ryan) Strapple, Jennifer Lisiecki, Martin (Mary) Sharp, Christina Sharp, Kaylee Sharp and Olivia Jones; eleven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Dick’s family wishes to thank the many special friends and caregivers who helped Dick over the past several years.  VISITATION:  5-7 pm Friday, March 2nd at Dougherty Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue Saturday, March 3rd from 10 AM until the 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church-Gnesen.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Gnesen Volunteer Fire Department, 4505 Datka Road, Duluth, MN 55803, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 525 Lake Avenue South, Suite 214, Duluth, MN 55802.   Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth, 218-727-3555.