Ruth Mae Maack

Ruth Mae Maack was born at Denison, Iowa, March 22, 1934, the daughter of Bernhard Gottfried and Emma Caroline Hollander Petersen.  She was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace through the sacrament of Holy Baptism July 15, 1934 at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison and confirmed in her Christian Faith there April 10, 1949.  She was raised on the farm in East Boyer Township and received her early education in the rural schools before graduating from the Denison High School with the class of 1952. On June 27, 1954, Ruth was united in marriage with Merlin E. Maack at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison.  Their union was blessed with four children: Donald, Duane, Denise and Diane.  They made their home on a farm north of Vail, Iowa, until 1965 when they moved to Denison where she had since resided.  Ruth was a homemaker, lovingly caring for her husband and children and enjoyed babysitting all of her grandchildren.  In her leisure time she greatly enjoyed sitting on their front porch watching the neighborhood activities.  In earlier years Ruth enjoyed fishing, dancing and baking for family and friends. Ruth was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Zion Ladies Aide and had been a Cub Scout Den Mother when her children were young.Due to failing health Ruth moved to the Denison Care Center in 2014 and it was there her death occurred Tuesday evening, March 29, 2016.  At the time of her death she had been blessed with 82 years and 7 days. Including her parents, Ruth was also preceded in death by one sister, Lucile Foster, brother-in-law, Earl Foster and sister-in-law JoAnn Meyer.Those remaining to cherish her memory include herhusband Merlin E. Maack of Denison, Iowa; children: Donald Maack and Duane Maack of Denison, Iowa, Denise (Kelly) Jones of Boone, Iowa, and Diane (William) Smith of Denison, Iowa; 9 grandchildren: Kelsey (Matt) Younggren of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Laura (Chris) Hollander of Cameron, Wisconsin, Kyle Crum and friend Leah of Boone, Iowa, Lucas Maack of Carroll, Iowa, Elizabeth Smith, Trevor Maack, and Alex Smith, all of Denison, Iowa, Dillon Jones of Boone, Iowa and Nate Smith of Denison, Iowa; 3 great grandchildren: Delilah and Erin Hollander of Cameron, Wisconsin and Jack Younggren of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sister Marie (Lawrence) Wordekemper of Denison, Iowa; brother Bernhard (Marilyn) Petersen of Schleswig, Iowa; brother-in-law Lyle Meyer of Denison, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church, Denison, Iowa with Rev. Kurt Kaiser officiating. Music for the service included a congregational hymn of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” and soloist Larry Boeck singing “On Eagle’s Wings” and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” with Karen Kahl serving as organist. Honorary Pallbearers were Alex Smith, Lucas Maack, Dillon Jones, Laura Hollander, Elizabeth Smith and Kelsey Younggren. Those serving as Pallbearers were Kyle Crum, Trevor Maack, Nate Smith, Dean Wordekemper, Justin Gotto, and Roger Petersen. Interment was at Morgan Township Cemetery, Schleswig, Iowa. Following the graveside rites and burial the family invited everyone to join them at the church for fellowship and a luncheon provided by Zion Ladies Aide. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements where on Friday, April 1, 2016, a visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.