Eugene Maahs

Eugene Richard Maahs, 90, of Adel, passed away surrounded by family on December 17, 2021. He was born on August 4, 1931, to Edward and Ella (Potratz) Maahs, in Whittemore, Iowa. He was the fourth oldest of 13 children. He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School and graduated from Whittemore Public High School. On September 29, 1951, he married Naomi Greinert. They were blessed with five children. In 1953, he received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Journalism from Iowa State University. After graduation he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force. After serving in the Air Force, Gene worked two years as News, Farm and Sports Editor for the Decorah Newspapers. In 1958, he joined the staff of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to work on the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman. During his 38 year Farm Bureau career, he was Editor of the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman, Communications Director, and Administrative Director. He retired in 1996, as the Executive Director/Secretary Treasurer of the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Secretary Treasure/Senior Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of the FBL Financial Group, Inc. As a representative of Farm Bureau, he was a member of the committee that established the Century Farm Program. He attended the United Nations World Food Conference in Rome in 1974, the World Food Conference at Iowa State University in Ames in 1976, and the United Nations media seminar on agricultural issues in New York City in 1979. He was the President of the Des Moines chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, a professional journalism society, and of the Iowa Industrial Editors Assocation. He also was a member of the Iowa and American Society of Association Executives, American Agricultural Editors Association, Agricultural Relations Council and American Management Association. Gene and Naomi also operated Country Gardens, a 56-acre fruit and vegetable farm and on-market farm east of Adel. They were also involved in two businesses in Adel, Cameo Rose Collection, and Antiques on ninth, both in the Historic Adel State Bank building. He served nine months as volunteer Interim Executive Director of Living History Farms in 2000 and later, served nine years on its Board of Directors. Gene served as chairman of the Board of Elders at Trinity Lutheran Church in Des Moines and was an active member at Faith Lutheran Church in Adel. He served as chairman of the Polk County Extension Council and on the Dallas County Extension Council. He was a member of the American Legion Post 464 in Adel. Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ella; brothers Ervin, Everett, Elmer and Sonny; sisters Eldora and Evelyn; and by his son Doug. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Naomi; children Dan Maahs (Connie), David Maahs (Pat), Becky Soffa (Keith) and Kristin Maahs (Ray Knight); 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Gene was an avid Iowa State Cyclones sports fan and a lifetime New York Yankees fan. He will be deeply missed by his loving family and many friends. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home- McCalley Chapel in Adel, Iowa. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Adel, Iowa. Burial will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery Memorial contributions may be directed to Faith Lutheran Church in Adel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.caldwellparrish.com