Beatrice L. Maass
11/17/1925 - 08/23/2019
Beatrice “Bea" Lucille Maass, age 93, of Nokomis Florida, passed away August 23, 2019. Bea was born November 17, 1925 in Kankakee IL the third of four children to her German immigrant father, William F. Schrader Sr. and her Dutch immigrant mother, Cornelia Rooze Schrader who met working off their boat fare to Ellis Island U.S.A. at a farm in Herscher IL which sponsored their fare.
Bea was considered a miracle baby as she was born c-section at St. Mary's hospital in Kankakee, IL by a physician that had never performed one before and he needed instructions via phone from Chicago. Her mother had been in a serious auto accident and Bea was a couple of months premature. She was so small she fit in the palm of her father's hand.
She met the love of her life, Flying Tiger pilot Captain William “Bill” R. Maass, also of Kankakee, IL, whom she married September 14, 1944 in Kankakee. Bea was a Christian, baptized , confirmed, and married at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Kankakee. Following his exit from the Air Force, the two literally built their own three bedroom home, with help from family members, on Kankakee's Southside from Army skilled trade manuals that Bill received and all soldiers were entitled to.
Bea worked as a teller for First Trust Savings of Kankakee and as the school Secretary of Washington Grade School for thirteen years. She greatly loved being a nurse helper and second mother to many at the school. Later, she was employed as a bank teller at a Naperville, IL after her husband, who is a Kroehler retired Corporate Industrial Relations Manager, was transferred there in 1977.
Bea graduated at the top of her class in eighth grade and was the first in her family to attend and graduate from high school. There at Bradley Bourbonais High School she lettered in scholarships having also received the American Legions leadership award of Bradley Bourbonnais High School. Her goal was to become a teacher but life had other plans for her. Bea was giving of her time, being active with the Riverside Hospital Women's Auxiliary, the Miriam's sewing group for an international charity at the American Lutheran Church, and as an Assistant Girl Scout leader while living in Kankakee, IL. Friends of her children were always welcomed warmly in to the home. With husband Bill she traveled extensively with their young children camping over the lower 48 states, Canada, and Mexico. She loved to go boating, fishing and picking wild berries to make jam. In 1974, they and their children, along with Bea’s mother-in-law, Theresa Ray Maass made a seven country trip through Europe. They visited Bea's mother's home village in Warffum Holland, and mother in law Theresa’s home village in Switzerland.
After retirement, Bea and Bill traveled the United States in a motor home for two years to explore as many cities and states as possible to determine where they would retire, finally settling in Florida. After their move they embarked to see some of the world's greatest sites and treasures in Egypt, Greece, London, France, Japan, Russia, Italy, and China visiting twenty countries.
Bea was considered a miracle baby as she was born c-section at St. Mary's hospital in Kankakee, IL by a physician that had never performed one before and he needed instructions via phone from Chicago. Her mother had been in a serious auto accident and Bea was a couple of months premature. She was so small she fit in the palm of her father's hand.
She met the love of her life, Flying Tiger pilot Captain William “Bill” R. Maass, also of Kankakee, IL, whom she married September 14, 1944 in Kankakee. Bea was a Christian, baptized , confirmed, and married at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Kankakee. Following his exit from the Air Force, the two literally built their own three bedroom home, with help from family members, on Kankakee's Southside from Army skilled trade manuals that Bill received and all soldiers were entitled to.
Bea worked as a teller for First Trust Savings of Kankakee and as the school Secretary of Washington Grade School for thirteen years. She greatly loved being a nurse helper and second mother to many at the school. Later, she was employed as a bank teller at a Naperville, IL after her husband, who is a Kroehler retired Corporate Industrial Relations Manager, was transferred there in 1977.
Bea graduated at the top of her class in eighth grade and was the first in her family to attend and graduate from high school. There at Bradley Bourbonais High School she lettered in scholarships having also received the American Legions leadership award of Bradley Bourbonnais High School. Her goal was to become a teacher but life had other plans for her. Bea was giving of her time, being active with the Riverside Hospital Women's Auxiliary, the Miriam's sewing group for an international charity at the American Lutheran Church, and as an Assistant Girl Scout leader while living in Kankakee, IL. Friends of her children were always welcomed warmly in to the home. With husband Bill she traveled extensively with their young children camping over the lower 48 states, Canada, and Mexico. She loved to go boating, fishing and picking wild berries to make jam. In 1974, they and their children, along with Bea’s mother-in-law, Theresa Ray Maass made a seven country trip through Europe. They visited Bea's mother's home village in Warffum Holland, and mother in law Theresa’s home village in Switzerland.
After retirement, Bea and Bill traveled the United States in a motor home for two years to explore as many cities and states as possible to determine where they would retire, finally settling in Florida. After their move they embarked to see some of the world's greatest sites and treasures in Egypt, Greece, London, France, Japan, Russia, Italy, and China visiting twenty countries.
Bea had many hobbies and was very creative. She loved to do needle point picture projects, was an avid reader, excellent baker, loved her many garden flowers and walking the beach for shells. Bea and Bill always championed higher education as they saw it as a means for their children to not have to endure the poverty that they experienced as a child. She was very proud of all of her children and grandchildren for furthering their education.
Bea was proceeded in death by a toddler brother Cornelius, sister Mrs. Isabelle Vandenberg (and husband Annas), brother William C. Schrader, sons-in-law Gabriel Favoino and Lawrence Schubert, sister-in-law Rosemary (and husband Lt. Warren Morrison), as well as brother in-laws James B. Maass, Sr., and Rodney Maass and his wife Betty Maass.
She is survived by daughters Patricia Schubert of Nokomis FL, and Joan (Bill) Grodski of Winter Springs FL, son William (Lori) Maass VII of Delavan IL, grandson Dr. William (Sara) Maass VIII of Pikeville KY, granddaughter Alexandra Maass of Bradenton FL, grandson Andrew Grodski of Casselberry FL, and great-grandsons William Maass IX and Theodore Maass of Pikeville KY, as well as sister-in-laws Mrs. William (Nelda) Schrader, Helen Maass, and Thomas and wife Mary Maass Sr. Bea is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews.
Beatrice chose to wait to be interred with her husband at Sarasota National Cemetery. November 19, 2021. In lieu of flowers Bea would prefer that donations be made to any reputable charity that helps with children's dental and physical health.
Bea was proceeded in death by a toddler brother Cornelius, sister Mrs. Isabelle Vandenberg (and husband Annas), brother William C. Schrader, sons-in-law Gabriel Favoino and Lawrence Schubert, sister-in-law Rosemary (and husband Lt. Warren Morrison), as well as brother in-laws James B. Maass, Sr., and Rodney Maass and his wife Betty Maass.
She is survived by daughters Patricia Schubert of Nokomis FL, and Joan (Bill) Grodski of Winter Springs FL, son William (Lori) Maass VII of Delavan IL, grandson Dr. William (Sara) Maass VIII of Pikeville KY, granddaughter Alexandra Maass of Bradenton FL, grandson Andrew Grodski of Casselberry FL, and great-grandsons William Maass IX and Theodore Maass of Pikeville KY, as well as sister-in-laws Mrs. William (Nelda) Schrader, Helen Maass, and Thomas and wife Mary Maass Sr. Bea is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews.
Beatrice chose to wait to be interred with her husband at Sarasota National Cemetery. November 19, 2021. In lieu of flowers Bea would prefer that donations be made to any reputable charity that helps with children's dental and physical health.