Mason D. Maach

December 27, 1921 - April 11, 2016

Mason D. Maach, 94, of Humboldt, passed away April 11, 2016 at the Humboldt Care Center South. Mason Dennis Maach, the son of Albert and Gladys (Paulsen) Maach, was born December 27, 1921 on a farm near Humboldt, Iowa. He attended country schools and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1939. In 1942, he enlisted into the United States Army Air Corps. He proudly served as a Navigator/Bombardier, flying 52 missions in Europe. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals. Mason attained the rank of First Lieutenant, and was honorably discharged in 1945. Through the GI Bill, Mason attended Fort Dodge Community College, Iowa State, and Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls where he earned his bachelors degree, and later, his masters degree. On August 21, 1949, he was united in marriage to Betty Hansen. Mason began his teaching career at Linn Grove Community School where he taught and was appointed principal. The couple then returned to Humboldt County where they farmed and Mason taught and served as principal for Bradgate Schools until moving to Humboldt. For over 50 years, Mr. Maach served the Humboldt Community School District as a math and industrial arts instructor and assistant football and track coach. He was honored with the dedication of the football field in his name in October of 2001. Mr. Maach was a member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the American Legion, Iowa State Education Association, and National Education Association. He was an accomplished woodworker and loved to travel with Betty. Mason is survived by his wife, Betty Maach of Humboldt; his children, Dr. Linda (Jason Potek) Maach of St. Louis Park, MN, David (Gail) Maach of Ames, and Diane (John) Tuttle of Clive; grandchildren, Aaron Potek, Nathan (Emma Stein) Potek, Elena Potek, Brianne Tuttle, Maren Tuttle, and Ethan Tuttle; great granddaughter, Liana Pearl Potek; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Gladys Maach; step mother, Pearl Maach; and brother and sister-in-law, Jayson and Helen Maach. Funeral services, led by Coach Greg Thomas, will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in the chapel of the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Humboldt, with full military rites by Adams American Legion Post 119 and Sathers-Odgaard VFW Post 5240. Visitation with the family will be 5-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family to be directed at a later date to a cause close to Mason.