Notes:

Bernard has collected a lot of Rademacher/Maas family history and even published a family newsletter for a while, from which a lot of the information in this book was taken.

Died:
Bernard Maas

May 17, 1934 - November 30, 2021

Irving, Texas - Bernard John Maas, 87, passed away on November 30th, 2021. He suffered his last years with beautiful humility, optimistically "offering it up" to God.

A twin and one of six children, Bernie was born May 17, 1934 in Crete, NE to Gertrude (née Hoesche) and George Maas on a farm during the Dust Bowl/ Depression. When six days old, his mother died, leaving young sisters to raise him as his father farmed. Even as a child Bernie was inventive and handy. He longed for Venetian blinds like wealthy families had so he built some from old fence slats and twine. He also ran a hose through the outside kitchen wall (without permission!) so they would have "indoor plumbing."

Bernie wanted to teach but couldn't afford college so he joined the Army. He served at Ft. Bliss in El Paso handling top secret staffing assignments. Afterwards, Bernie attended NTSU in Denton while working full-time at State Farm in Dallas. He tutored his future wife Nancy (née McNeill) in drafting class, and the rest is history: they were married 43 years. He eventually earned a BS in Industrial Arts and an MA in education.

For 30 years, Bernie taught woodworking and engineering to thousands of Ft. Worth middle-school students building model race cars, rockets, carved ducks, and sentimental keepsakes. Bernie was named his school's Teacher of the Year and FWISD's runner-up Teacher of the Year; won a Ross Perot Foundation award for innovation; and was consistently highlighted in The Who's Who Guide to Excellent Teachers in his field.

Bernie and Nancy settled in Ft. Worth and raised one child, Sharon. He dotingly changed diapers; made lunches; fixed ponytails; and let her "help" with projects. Sharon's three children, Kristen, Allison, and Joshua, were the light of Bernie's life. He caught them jumping from trees, laughed with them, and overall gave them the childhood he wished he had.

Bernie loved traveling and explored the Americas, Europe, and Russia. He enjoyed researching family history, organizing reunions, and visiting/corresponding with relatives. He generously served St. Andrew's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, St. Francis Village, and countless people needing help.

Bernie is survived by his daughter Sharon Maas and her husband Art Ortolani; grandchildren Kristen Gerush, Allison Gerush, and Joshua Ortolani; grandson-in-law Mitchel Ortolani; great-grandson Levi Ortolani; sister-in-law Katie Maas; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral Mass is 9:30 AM on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Irving, with interments following at DFW National Cemetery at 11:30 AM and Laurel Land Cemetery in Ft. Worth at 1:00 PM.





Published by Star-Telegram on Feb. 20, 2022.

Bernard married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]