Ladonna M. Maas

LaDonna Mae Maas was born in Wisner, Nebraska, November 24, 1923, the only child of Emory and Hilda Roeh Salmon. The family moved to Schleswig, Iowa, where she graduated from high school with the class of 1941. Following high school LaDonna received her teaching credentials from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa and taught school for one year. She then moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she attended Cadet Nursing Training becoming a Registered Nurse. On March 1, 1948, LaDonna was united in marriage with Harris John Maas at the Methodist Parsonage in Shelby, Iowa. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Mary and Ruth. They made their home on the farm at Schleswig before moving to Denison in 1970. For over thirty years, LaDonna greatly enjoyed her career as District Supervisor for the State Health Department. LaDonna and Harris spent their retirement years in Denison where they pursued their hobby as avid collectors. In addition to collecting, she enjoyed fishing, cooking, raising violets, games and spending time with family and friends. Harris died March 25, 2009, and LaDonna remained in her home until moving to Silveridge in Denison when it opened in January of 2011. She loved her time at Silveridge, amassing many friends, sharing her wit and wisdom with everyone, and no matter the event, she greatly enjoyed being the center of attention. One of her favorite activities at Silveridge was Pastor Loeschen’s weekly Bible Study and each Christmas she loved displaying her 150 Nativity sets. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Schleswig, Iowa. LaDonna died Sunday evening, November 20, 2016, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 92 years, 11 months and 26 days. Including her parents, Emory and Hilda Salmon and her husband, Harris, LaDonna was also preceded in death by son-in-law Alan Disburg. Those remaining to cherish her memory include two daughters: Mary Disburg of Denison and Ruth (James) Gentry of Lincoln, Nebraska; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Christopher (Julie) Bliesman, Zachary and Jordan of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ann (John) Thomas, Camden, Joshua and Colten of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Sara (Lou) Moulton and Elise of Omaha, Nebraska, and Mary Pattavina and husband Nick Krauter of Omaha, Nebraska, other relatives and many friends.Memorial services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2016 at United Church of Christ, Schleswig, Iowa with Rev. Kevin Freese officiating. Music for the service included a Processional of “Amazing Grace”, a special selection of “Away in the Manger” by the United Church of Christ Bell Choir, Congregational hymns of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Still, Still, Still” with Tammy Neubauer serving as organist. Following the service everyone was invited to join the family for fellowship and a luncheon provided by Hy-Vee and United Church of Christ Women’s Guild. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa was in charge of arrangements. A visitation was held at the church on December 10, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. until service time.