Jackie R Maass

Jack Maass
December 26, 1949 - October 22, 2026

When a hospice nurse asked Jack Maass what had brought him the most joy in his life, he answered without missing a beat: "My grandkids."

Those two words say so much about Jack and what mattered most to him. In the last few years of his life, he especially looked forward to holidays and family gatherings when his grandchildren would all be together. Being surrounded by them gave him something to anticipate, something to celebrate, and countless moments to treasure.

Jack passed away peacefully on October 22, 2026, at the age of 76. He was born on December 26, 1949, to June and Wally Maass and graduated from Seymour High School. Jack was drafted into military service during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Germany. He served as a paratrooper in 1968-a chapter of his life his family honors and remembers with pride.

On December 10, 1976, Jack married Mary Ann Helf, the love of his life. Together, they built a family that would remain at the heart of his world.

Jack's love for Mary carried him through the difficult days of her cancer, as he helped care for her throughout her illness. Losing her left him heartbroken. He deeply felt her absence in the years that followed.

After Mary's passing, his daughter, Carrie, became an especially important presence in Jack's daily life. She cared for him with love and devotion, offering companionship and comfort as he learned to live without Mary. His sons, Cory and Chris, also helped care for and support him. Each in their own way, his children helped him feel loved and cared for throughout his final years.

Jack was truly a "Jack of all trades," with skilled hands and a talent for building and creating. He worked as a mason before starting his own house-framing business, which he operated for 11 years. His sons, Chris and Cory, worked alongside him, making the business a shared chapter in their lives. The homes they helped build remain a tangible part of his legacy, while the time spent working together holds a more personal place in his family's memories.

That time together extended beyond the workday. Jack and his sons particularly loved hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors together. Those shared days became a cherished part of their relationship-time to enjoy each other's company while doing the things they loved. Jack also enjoyed woodworking, another way he put his hands and skills to work.

Jack loved cheering on the Packers and Brewers, and he was especially excited about the upcoming World Series.

There is comfort in imagining Jack's arrival in Heaven: horns blaring in celebration, his beloved Mary waiting to welcome him, and his parents, June and Wally, and brothers, Ron and Jerry, joining in the reunion. What a joyous occasion it must have been to be together again.

Jack is survived by his three children, Chris (Stacy) Maass, Cory (Amy) Maass, and Carrie Maass (fiancé, Waylon); and his six special grandchildren, Garrett, Blake, Kendra, Isabelle, Gage, and Kylie. He is also survived by his sister, Carol Jens; brothers, Dale (Brenda) Maass and Dave (Tracy) Maass; brother-in-law, Mike (Diane) Helf; sister-in-law, Colleen Maass; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jack's family extends a special thank-you to Kari Nooyen, who cared for him at home for four years. They are also deeply grateful to the nurses and all the wonderful people at Little Chute Health Services and Moments Hospice for their compassionate care and kindness.

His family will carry his memory into the holidays and gatherings he so eagerly awaited, the days spent outdoors, and the work they do with their own hands. His place among them will be deeply missed, but his grandchildren will always have something lasting to hold onto: when their grandpa was asked about the greatest joy of his life, his answer was them.

Visitation for Jack will take place at Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Appleton.