Kathleen M Maass' Obituary
Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, Kathleen M Maass (Kathy), 80, of Holladay, Utah, passed away on July, 3, 2024 at home after a brief illness.
Kathy was born on February 19,1944, in Tacoma, Washington. After a difficult childhood, she was adopted by Pastor LaVerne Nelsen and his wife Gail. She loved being part of such a large and loving family. She graduated from Port Angeles High School in 1962. After attending the Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle, she married her high school sweetheart, Dietmar (Dit) Maass, in 1964. They were married for 49 years and had two children, Brenda and Eric.
Kathy and Dit lived for some time in Portland and then had several moves before retiring in Chandler, Arizona where they could escape the rain of the Northwest and enjoy the sunshine year round. Kathy enjoyed a long and successful career as an HR manager at Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon. While working full-time, she raised her children and attended college. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Marylhurst College in Oregon, and her Master of Arts in Whole Systems Design from Antioch University in Seattle. Kathy was recognized for her many leadership achievements at Intel and retired at the age of 58.
After retiring, Kathy and Dit enjoyed traveling across the country in their motorhome, visiting friends and family along the way. Kathy had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed international travel, especially her trip to Jerusalem, which she took with her mother. Kathy was involved in her communities and regularly volunteered at local schools, food banks and churches. While living in Utah, she was the resident council president of her assisted living community, and served as an ambassador, by welcoming new residents and helping them feel at home. She had a creative side and delighted her friends and family with her homemade cards. Kathy loved to crochet, paint and do all things crafty. She also had a competitive side and was dubbed “the silent assassin” for her poker prowess, which she learned to play at the age of 78. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family.
Kathy is preceded in death by her husband, Dietmar Maass, her parents, LaVerne and Gail Nelsen, her sister, Judy Rose, and brothers, Ed and Ralph Pitts. She is survived by her children, Brenda Krebs (Rick) and Eric Maass (Sherie), grandchildren, Chris and Derek Krebs, Kim Buslach (Jason) and Desirae Muhlstein (Cody), great-grandchildren, Addison and Tyler Buslach, brothers, Tom Pitts (Dena), Burle Pitts (Ginny), Greg Nelsen (Marie), Tim Nelson, Andy Nelsen (Shelley), Kerry Pierce (Nancy) and many nieces, nephews and beloved friends.
Interment will follow a private family service at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In memory of Kathy, please consider donating to the Michael J Fox Foundation.
What’s your fondest memory of Kathleen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kathleen?
Share a story where Kathleen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kathleen you’ll never forget.
How did Kathleen make you smile?