Philip R. Maas

Philip R. Maas, age 90, of Baraboo, WI went to be with his Lord on Monday, October 23, 2023 at St. Clare Hospital, Agrace Hospice. 

He was the second of five children born to Ray D. and Hazel I. (Patefield) Maas. He was born at home in Wisconsin Rapids, WI on September 25, 1933. 

His father's job moved the family to many places in Wisconsin and Illinois. Probably the most memorable were the years spent in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil when Phil was a teenager.  The family returned to the states and settled in Adams, WI, where Phil graduated from the Adams Friendship High School in 1952. In 1955, Phil enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving for four years on the U.S.S. Truckee, a fleet tanker operating out of Norfolk,VA that refueled other ships at sea. He traveled to many countries during this time in the Navy. He attained the rank of Machinist Mate 1st Class before he was honorably discharged.  

On December 17, 1960 Philip married Shirley Opperman. They lived in Baraboo and raised two children, Keith and Karla. He worked at Leahy Motors in Baraboo, which is where Culver's now is. In 1966, Phil changed jobs and went to work at Badger Army Ammunition plant as an area mechanic. He retired from there in 1999. He still wanted to keep busy, so he took a job at Reedsburg Hardwoods and left there in 2003. After that, he took a part time job driving truck and making deliveries for Hub Chemical.  In retirement, he was able to help his children with many projects, such as cutting wood, remodeling their homes and other such things. Phil was a member of Crossway Baptist Church in Baraboo, Masonic Lodge #34, and Badger Steam and Gas Engine Club. He enjoyed doing word searches, jigsaw puzzles, and woodworking; as well as watching Nascar and the Milwaukee Brewers.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley; his son, Keith (Lori) Maas; his daughter, Karla (Dan) Vale. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Sarah (Matt) Kowalke and Courtney Kluender; his step-grandchildren, Danny (Amanda), Tabitha (Mike), Kelsie (Dustin), Dayna (Tony), and Nikki (Stephen); great grandchildren, Fynn, Drake, Lyla, Owen, Everly, Julian and Charley; sister, Ann Wilcox; brother, Harold (Mary) Maas; brothers-in-law Lowell (Donna) Opperman and Lyle (Wadena) Opperman many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, sister Barbara and brother Ralph.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 12 noon at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. A Masonic Service will begin at 11:45 a.m. until the time of the memorial service. Inurnment will follow with military honors in Walnut Hill Cemetery in Baraboo.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be used toward local charities.