Miriam Maas
December 20, 1946 ~ September 8, 2025
View the recorded services for Miriam
Miriam Maas, age 78, passed away Monday, September 8, 2025, at Avera Oahe Manor, Gettysburg.
A celebration of life service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, with Rev. David Otten presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery. A prayer service will be 6:00 p.m., Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the church, with visitation one-hour prior.
According to adoption records, Miriam was born Marilyn Marie Buettner “on or about” the 20th of December, 1946 in Des Moines, IA to Margaret Marie Buettner. She was placed in the Lutheran Home Finding Society in Fort Dodge, IA on January 17, 1947, and was legally adopted May 16, 1947 by Walter and Rosine (Letsche) Nielsen of Marcus, IA. The couple named their new daughter Miriam Faye Nielsen and moved her to their farm home in Marcus, IA, where Miriam was raised with a brother, James Lee. Miriam attended Lutheran elementary school and graduated from Marcus High School in 1964. Upon graduation, she attended a year of school in the Twin Cities, MN to be a nurse’s aide.
Miriam married Max Vernon Maas on June 6, 1965, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Marcus, IA. The couple then moved to the family farm north of Gettysburg, SD, where they raised their three children. In May 1980, the family moved into Gettysburg city limits when their oldest child, Ann, started high school. Through the years Miriam held jobs at Gettysburg Medical Center, Jones Drug, Potter County News, Duckwall’s and Compassionate Care Hospice. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and Emmanuel Lutheran Church. She served as Sunday School Superintendent during the years her children attended, was a member of the choir with her beautiful soprano voice and also served as choir director for many years.
Miriam was an accomplished seamstress, making most of her children’s clothing while they were young. This eventually gave way to quilting, which became a passion for her. Lots of hours of love and originality went into her many quilts made for family and friends. She was also talented at knitting, crocheting and needle work. When Vernon was commander of the VFW from 1976-79, the Avenue of Flags was established and Miriam was the one who put the names of veterans on every flag flown, eventually earning her the Non-Legionette of the Year Award, an honor she cherished.
Miriam is survived by her children: Ann (Neal) Cruse, Huron, SD, David Maas, Rapid City, SD, and Sarah Sue (Keith) Tanner, Gettysburg, SD; grandsons: Jacob (Jerrica) Cruse, Sioux Falls, SD, Nathanael Tanner, Gettysburg, SD, and Max Maas, Rapid City, SD; granddaughters: Emily (James) Salinas, Huron, SD, Darian (Colten) Lesmeister, Gettysburg, SD, and Meghan Maas (Oliver Bowman), Sammamish, WA; great-grandchildren: Ethan Nathanael Tanner, Gettysburg, SD, August Michael and Ella Louise Salinas, Huron, SD, and Ezra Miles Cruse, Sioux Falls, SD; brothers, James (Beverly) Nielsen, Marcus, IA and Martin Schipull, Brookings, SD; brother-in-law, Kenneth (Dorothy) Maas, Aberdeen, SD; 16 nieces and nephews; 37 great nieces and nephews; and 32 great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, August and Pauline Maas; husband, Vernon; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Richard and Elma Mangin and James and Amy Lake.
Memorials in honor of Miriam may be directed to Keep Hope Local, 127 Hilltop Dr., Gettysburg, SD 57442 or Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 601 E. Logan Ave, Gettysburg, SD 57442.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Miriam’s arrangements.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I met Mariam went we both volunteered with hospice. She was a very compassionate person and the people loved her visit and her music..Hugs to the family
I was blessed to have worked with Miriam. She was the kindest person around. My life was truly blessed having Miriam in it. So sorry for your loss. May God guide and comfort you all during this most difficult time.
Peace and prayers in this, your time of need! My deepest sympathy to you and your family!
So sorry to hear this. Hugs and prayers to you all.
I've been blessed to know Miriam for several years. My first memories of her were as a child and church activities. Such fun memories of going to the Maas house many years ago. She was always so welcoming. She always had a smile and a greeting wherever and whenever. May she now rest in peace with her beloved Vernon. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
To Mariams family- She was a wonderful friend. Our friendship began the day we shared a hospital room when David and Suzanne were born. Later years we spent a lot of time sewing and achievements of family. I will miss her greatly.
What a wonderful tribute to Miriam! We always enjoyed the times that we saw her and were able to visit with her. She was truly a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother to her family. Rob and I have always been happy that my little brother married into such a wonderful and strong Christian family! We know you'll miss her so much but we also know that you are happy that her hard times on earth are over and she's with her Lord & Savior!🙏🏻❤️ Rob & Linda
I am so grieved to hear of Miriam's decline and passing just this evening. We spent a childhood together as Nielsen cousins. She was a beloved cousin. We took her to dinner several years ago while in South Dakota: enjoyed hearing all about her family and viewing her quilts. Her family was the joy of her life. Sincere condolences. Sharon and Fred Elling
So Sorry for your loss. Miriam was the Grandest Lady. When the Avenue of Flags was built in 1976 we started collecting Flags of Veterans that had passed. Miriam volunteered to put names on the Flags. She also sewed all the patches and flags on the Honor Guard uniforms. When I had a Flag I would call and it was lay it on the back step. We have over 250 Flags at the Court House and this Grand Lady put names on them. Every time I stopped she would show all the Quilts that she had made. Must have been 20 Quilts on the bed and she flipped them over like a pro to show all of them. Missed our visits after she quit the Flags. Miriam made my day every time I stopped. Sew a few Quilts for the Lord.
We just learned of Miriam’s passing and are so very sorry. Rest in Peace dear Miriam with those that have gone before in the arms of our Lord. Your family has our deepest sympathy. She was a dear cousin who will be greatly missed. Sue remembers fondly her tutoring her over the phone in making a quilted Christmas tree skirt. She was a very talented lady.