Helen Maasch

Maasch, Helen, 84
With her typical combination of strength and grace, Helen D. Maasch passed peacefully on December 20, 2016 as she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Helen was born in Oconomowoc, WI on October 24, 1932, the daughter of Ambrose Errol and Eleanor (Sholes) Dowd. On June 12, 1952, she married Dr. Rodney Maasch at St. Jerome's Catholic Church in Oconomowoc. Together they raised 7 children.
Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a "second mother" to numerous friends of her own children, which is a testament to the comfort that children experienced in her home. With 7 children, and 5 siblings of her own, family gatherings were memorable events where we would often gather around a piano and sing. When Helen was entertaining no one went hungry or thirsty. Some of her better known favorites included her special "Dowd salad," wonderful cherry pie and cinnamon bread.
After her children left the nest, Helen went back into the workplace as a realtor. She loved finding the perfect home, especially for young couples starting out. She measured her success by the joy she was able to bring to those families seeking the dream of home ownership.
Helen was very involved in her Catholic community, serving as a lay minister in the parishes where she resided, and could often be found leading the Rosary in prayer groups that seemed to gather where ever she was living. Helen was well known and loved by her friends in Sun Prairie as she always stayed well connected despite a few cross country moves to be with family.
Helen is survived by her children; Mark (Katie) Maasch, Mike Maasch, Mary (Ken) Slattery, Katie (David) Simon, John (Dawn) Maasch and Steven (Sue) Maasch. She leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her sister, Sally Lyons. She was preceded in death by, and looked forward to joining in Heaven, her husband, Rodney; son James; her brothers Tom Dowd, Father Pat Dowd, Jim Dowd, Father John Dowd and sister Mary Boettcher.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 2420 St. Albert Drive, Sun Prairie at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, January 5, 2017 with Monsignor Donn Heiar presiding. A visitation will be held from 3:30 p.m. until the time of mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Luke House, 310 South Ingersoll Street, Madison WI 53703-3739.

Cress Funeral Home
1310 Emerald Terrace
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
608-837-9054