Dean William Maas, age 81, passed away Aug. 4, 2018, Tulsa, Okla. A proud Iowan, Dean stayed true to his roots from birth through college. Born in Davenport, Iowa, his parents Adolf and Anna (Holz) Maas; he was later raised by his stepmother, Velma (Schuett) Maas upon his mother's death.
The loss of his mother at a young age deeply affected Dean especially during his teen years. As a result, he found himself "hanging out with the wrong crowd" and participating in activities that were dangerous for himself and others. It was in one of these moments, with chain in hand, he heard a calling from above, "Leave and let live." He left immediately and so began his journey of life with the Lord by his side.
After graduating from Davenport High School in 1955 Dean attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, as a walk-on athlete in both football and track. He excelled on the field, which earned him the prestigious award of Athlete of The Year, 1959, and later was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. He was the first in his immediate family to receive a college degree.
Dean married his high school sweetheart, Audrey Kay, who he met on a blind date and remained together over fifty-nine years until her death earlier this year. After marriage, two children, and serving as a Camp Director for several years, Dean decided to pivot and dedicate the rest of his life to the path of a humble servant of God as a Lutheran Pastor.
He attended Augustana Seminary, Rock Island, Ill., and graduated from Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. He then ministered as an Associate Pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church, Council Bluffs, Iowa. He then accepted the call to ministry at a mission church at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Camdenton, Mo. It was in Camdenton that he discovered two of his greatest passions: evangelism and the great outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish spreading the word of God wherever he went.
Dean served as Senior Pastor at St. James Lutheran Church, Gladstone, Mo.; House of Prayer Lutheran Church, San Antonio, Texas; and his final Call at First Lutheran Church, Tulsa, Okla., and Pastor Emeritus until his retirement in 2008. He also inspired and served as the Director of Trinity Ministries providing Senior Apartments across from the Church with dreams and plans to develop a continuous-care senior facility in the future.
During his ministry at St. James Lutheran Church, Dean traveled for the Lutheran Church of America (LCA) as a Preacher Evangelist. Because of his love of the Lord and the Lord's people, Dean was given the ability to teach and lead people into sharing their personal faith story with the backdrop and foundation of God's story. A book, Live All Your Life by Reuel L. Howe (1974) and verses from Paul's letters were key in Dean's life: Roman 5:1-11; Romans 8:31-37; Hebrews 12:1 & 2. A quote from Howe's book was always on Dean's tongue calling us to LIVE AND GROW: "If we grow, we have to decide how to grow. Growth requires that we risk what we have for the sake of what we would like to have, without any guarantee that we will succeed in finding it. WE HAVE TO DECIDE TO GROW!"
Dean led all of his life and the lives of others with love, trust, and joy: #1 LOVE THE LORD. #2 TRUST IN GOD'S VISION. #3 BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF JOY AND ENTHUSIASM. Dean continued his ministry until his last days on this Earth.
Dean is preceded in death by his lovely wife, Audrey Kay, father, Adolf, mother, Anna, stepmother, Velma, and two brothers, Don and Carl Maas. He is survived by his daughter, Jill (Gordon) Backman, and son, Jon Maas; and his grandchildren, Gordon Dean, Taylor, Jon Ryan, Jackson and Jordon.
A Memorial Service was held Aug. 17, 2018, Fellowship Lutheran Church, 6727 S. Sheridan Road, Tulsa, OK, 74133. Memorials can be given to the Dean and Audrey Kay Maas Memorial Fund at Fellowship Lutheran Church. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com.