Grete "Oma" (Freese) Maass

Grete "Oma" (Mrs. Karl) Maass, 83, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away late Wednesday afternoon, January 20, 2016, at Genesis Medical Center-West Campus, Davenport surrounded by her loving family. She was active and full of life previous to suffering a stroke the day before.

Grete, or Oma, whom she was lovingly known by many, was born April 18, 1932, in Bordesholm Germany to Hans and Thea (Harm) Freese. She and her four siblings grew up in Germany and attended German schools. Later she attended a business college in Kiel, Germany, studying bookkeeping. Following two years of employment in Germany, Grete was allowed to visit her brother and sister who were residing in DeWitt in 1955. Her sister, Lisa and a friend of the family, Karl Maass, drove to New York to pick her up after her long boat ride to the United States. After choosing to stay in the United States, Karl and Grete were united in marriage on April 20, 1956 at Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt in a German ceremony officiated by the Rev. Theodore Hinck. The couple resided in DeWitt all of their life together where they raised their three children. In addition to being an incredible homemaker, Grete worked as a bookkeeper for the former C & J Service Company for 22 years, retiring in 1994. She also managed the books for the family business, Maass Masonry, even after their son Claus took over.

Oma shared her enormous heart through her time and treasures, including her fabulous cooking and baking, knitting of booties and puschies and cheering on her grandchildren in all their endeavors. Grete was a dedicated servant to her faith and was a long time and very active member of Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt. Grete and Karl embraced their German heritage by sharing their traditions, culture and love of their homeland. They enjoyed their countless trips to Germany with their children and grandchildren.  Grete was a defining influence in the raising of her grandchildren and nothing gave her more joy than to spend time with them. She had the kindest heart, the gentlest hands, the sweetest smile and the most comforting words. She will be missed beyond measure by her family and many friends.

Celebrating her life are her loving husband of 59 years, Karl; children, Anke Jean (Denny Reichenbacher) Maass of Bettendorf, Birgit Maass of Davenport and Claus (Jennifer) Maass of DeWitt; grandchildren, Brooke (Alan) Barnes, Quinn (Paul) Leathers, Britta Adams, Andy (Justine) Maass, Alex (Brooke) Maass, Will (Caitlin Nagle) Maass and Weston Maass; a step-granddaughter, Alicia (Jeff) Duyvejonck; great-grandchildren, Cooper and Finn Barnes and Leo Maass; step-great-grandchildren, Hanna Shreffler, Chandra and Kylie Duyvejonck; brothers, Heini (Ingrid) Freese and Freddy Freese and a sister-in-law, Doris Freese all of Germany.

Preceding Grete in death were her parents; a brother Dieter and a sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Heinz Delfs.

The family will receive friends at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 24. A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 25, at Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt with the Rev. Michael Vokt officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt. Memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church.

Pallbearers will be Oma’s grandsons.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com.