Grace M. Maas

Grace and her twin brother, Tom, were born to Augustus and Alma (Stockman-Potticary) Cushman on November 13, 1919 at St Mary’s Hospital in Watertown WI.  She was a life-long member of St Bernard’s Catholic Church and attended St Bernard’s grade school. She attended Watertown High School and after graduating in 1938 became a playground director as part of a WPA initiative. She later worked in the office for Carnation Company in Oconomowoc and as a receptionist for the US Employment Services. She was selected as the city and county Dairy Queen.

She married Earl Maas on February 12, 1944 and the couple celebrated 74 years of marriage. Earl served in the US Navy SeaBees and they lived in Oakland CA where he was stationed. They moved back to Watertown where they raised their three sons. Earl preceded her in death in April 2018. 

Grace was active in the American Red Cross and served as certified nurses aide for area blood banks where she was also a regular donor. She and a friend started The Yarn Shop In Watertown, a popular resource for knitting supplies and classes for 27 years. 

She and Earl were active members of the Watertown Country Club and enjoyed golfing with friends. They participated in many couples events and won a Mr & Mrs event. Grace also shot a hole-in-one.

Grace and Earl hosted three foreign exchange students through the AFS program including the city’s first exchange student, Carlo Marcelletti from Italy. Grace later travelled to Italy to visit him and his family.

She and Earl spent many winters in Florida and enjoyed traveling throughout the US, especially on golfing trips with friends. Grace was also an avid walker putting on many miles as she walked the streets of Watertown and the beaches in Florida. She continued to walk indoors into her 100s. Above all she enjoyed time with her family.

She is survived by her three sons Thomas (Kathy) of Fort Atkinson, John (Chris) of Watertown, and Robert (Paula) of New Smyrna Beach, FL. There are six grandchildren: Collin (Gail) Maas (Fort Atkinson, WI), Leslie Maas (Rafael) Cortes (Dorado, PR and Watertown), Jason (Amy) Maas (Madison, WI), Johnny (Carolina) Maas (San Anselmo, CA), Jeremy Maas ( Anchorage, AK) and Anthony (Julia) Maas (Madison, WI), and 10 great grandchildren. 

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the caregivers at Marquardt Assisted Living and Marquardt Commonheart Hospice for the loving attention given to our mom.

Memorials may be directed to Marquardt  Commonheart Hospice, Marquardt Assisted Living or to the Earl and Al Maas Scholarship Fund.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church with Fr. Tim Renz presiding.  Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 10:00AM until the time of the service.  Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery Watertown at a later date.