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., Monday, 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, and she 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.

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