LeRoy Maas

Funeral services For LeRoy Maas, 96, of Albert Lea, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2014 at Calvary Baptist Church. Rev. Mark Miller will officiate.  Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  
LeRoy died Saturday, May 10, 2014 at Hidden Creek Living.  
LeRoy Maas was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 5, 1917, the son of Will H. Maas and Delvina (Othote) Maas.
He married Lillian Goodrich of Pillager, MN On June 7, 1940 in Bemidji, MN
His educational background indicates he attended elementary school at Dist. No. 17 in Ramsey County, St. Paul. He graduated from John Marshall High School in Minneapolis in 1935. He received a B.S. degree from Bemidji State College in 1940, a M.A. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1950, and a Specialist (5th year) degree as a Health Coordinator from Mankato State University in 1975.
He spent his freshmen year at St. Cloud State and did graduate work at the U of M, Moorhead State U. and the University of Colorado.
LeRoy taught Social Studies, Physical Education and coached Football, Basketball and Track at Onamia High School from 1940 to 1942. He then went to Tracy in 1942 and had the same teaching and coaching assignments.
He came to Albert Lea High School in 1943 where he taught Physical Education, Health and coached B Squad Football, Wrestling and Track at the High School level. He taught for a period of 40 years and retired in 1980.
LeRoy served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946. He was a Pharmacist’s Mate. He also served as the City Recreation director in Albert Lea from 1951 to 1968. He started many programs that are still operating today.
Mr. Maas was active in many community affairs and received many awards, national, regional, state, and local for his work in education and community service. He was a charter member of the Golden K-1 Kiwanis Club of Albert Lea.
One of his favorite charities was the American Lung Association of Minnesota. (The Christmas Seal People) He served on the State Board of Directors for over 25 years.
LeRoy was a member of Calvary Baptist Church since 1943 and was very active in the affairs of the church. He was chairman of the Advisory Board and the Board of Deacons, Sunday School Superintendent, Youth leader, Sunday School Teacher for many years and served on numerous committees.
He was a co-founder of the Christian Businessman’s Committee in Albert Lea and was their first President. He helped to promote many evangelistic crusades in the community and was a counselor at many of them.
When he retired in 1980, LeRoy and his wife Lillian spent the first two winters in Florida and Texas. The third year they went to Mesa, Arizona. They spent winters in Arizona and summers in Albert Lea until the year 2004, at which time they were full time in Albert Lea.
In 1995, previous wrestling students, Dr. Manny Steil, Pete Veldman and Frank Gallagher, founded the LeRoy Maas Scholarship Fund in Coach Maas’ honor. To date 58 scholarships have been given and $78,000.00 has been raised.
In 2012, LeRoy founded a Scholarship Fund at Bemidji State University.
In 2013, LeRoy founded the LeRoy Maas – Carol Colstrup Scholarship Fund for the Albert Lea Figure Skating Club.
He is the water that primed the pump for thousands.  
Mr. Maas is survived by his three daughters, JoAnn, Kathleen and her husband Lenny, Susan and her husband Jay and son, Ronald. Four grandchildren include Elise Free, Todd Madison, Jason and Trevor Muchow. Three great granddaughters, Madison and Ava Free and Penny Muchow.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lillian, parents, sisters, Dorothy and Ruth and brothers Vernon, Glen and Clyde.
LeRoy’s entire life was dedicated to working with and serving children, youth and adults.
Donations in memoriam may be given to go to the LeRoy Maas Scholarship Fund, 2430 Anthony Street, So. St. Paul, MN 55075