Virginia Maas

Virginia Maas, 89, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at Caring Acres in Anita.

Virginia Mae was born on August 16, 1934, at the old motel in Massena, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Bertha Bell (Taylor) Fickel. She grew up in the Massena and Cumberland areas and attended Crossroads school house, which she tried to save prior to it being torn down in recent years. Virginia often told stories of neighborhood friends and her being a little ornery at times; from getting caught trying to pull off a Halloween prank of taking all the books off the shelves in the schoolhouse or putting pop cans across the highway and hiding in the ditch to see if they got hit. All this innocent fun brought hearty laughs to herself and the many she shared the stories with. 

On March 23, 1983, she was united in marriage to Leroy Ernest Maas. The couple flew to Arizona for their honeymoon, even though Virginia was scared of flying. They toured Arizona and also Yuma, California. The flight down was a little rough for her so she took the bus home and Leroy flew; always chuckling when they joked that Virginia ditched Leroy on the honeymoon. 

Virginia first worked at Atlantic Bottling and later in the laundry department at Cass County Memorial Hospital for 42 years, retiring at the age of 80.

Virginia had a large owl figurine collection and enjoyed crocheting, crossword puzzles, and keeping a clean and tidy house. She was an avid BINGO player, rarely missing BINGO night. Virginia looked forward to trips to Branson; one of her favorites being the one at Christmas time. 

Virginia is survived by her sisters-in-law, Geneve (Virgil) Houk, Linda (Jessie) Rumly and Mary Blake; close family friends and their families, Liz (Tim) Denney and Vicky Ericksen; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Betha Fickel; husband, Leroy on July 19, 2024; sister-in-law, Marie Margaret (Richard) Vanderflute; and brother-in-law, Larry Blake.

 A Celebration of Life Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 19, 2024, at the Massena Cemetery, north of Massena.

The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon on Tuesday.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Virginia’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.