Margaret "Jane" Maasen

Margaret Jane Maasen (Dawson), 85, of Kansas City Missouri passed away on January 20, 2021 at North Kansas City Hospice House.

Private services for immediate family only will be held as permitted by government limitations.  A celebration of life will be announced when conditions allow.

Jane was born on September 8,1935 in St. Louis, Missouri, the second of two children of Richard and Margaret (Roederer) Dawson (Heller).  Jane early on in her life lost the use of her left arm and underwent intense shoulder surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and with the assistance of the Shriners organization. Her arm was saved, but the surgery left her with very limited mobility and strength.

She married Nelson Herman Maasen on August 8, 1953.  Jane’s first cousin, Don Roederer, married Nelson’s younger sister, Ruthie Maasen; Don introduced Nelson and Jane.  Their 53-year marriage produced 7 children, 14 grandchildren, and 17 great- grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

She was an incredible, self-taught cook who would tell you that her mother could not boil water.  But she learned to cook delicious food in great quantities to satisfy the unceasing appetite of her five sons and two daughters.

Jane was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church for 61 years.  She lived in the same home for 50 of those years, only moving when the home became a burden to her.  She was lifted up by wonderful neighbors, parishioners and friends throughout those years and afterwards.  She served faithfully for years in the Altar Society.

Jane enjoyed the company of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Her best times were spent at their sporting events, with a camera firmly in her right hand.

She had a great love of history and travel and gave a wanderlust to all of her children.  We doubt there is a place in the Kansas City area that she had not taken her children in their youth, whether it be park or historic site. She always claimed that she could be dropped into the middle of a strange town and know her way around within 30 minutes.  She loved playing cards with her husband Nelson and especially enjoyed the unique relationship that she had with her first cousin Don Roederer, who was also her brother-in-law.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 53 earthly years Nelson; parents Richard Dawson and Margaret Roederer Dawson Heller, step parents Ruth Carden Dawson and Mr. Heller, and brother Richard Dawson.  She is survived by her half brother Robert Dawson, of Omaha, NE; son Richard of Platte City, MO, granddaughter Dana Maasen and husband Kevin, great grandchildren Raegan, Alex, and Kevin, granddaughter Melissa Maasen Murphy and husband John, great grandchildren Kaitlyn, Sarah and Shannon; son Michael, daughter-in-law Margie of Kansas City, granddaughter Katie and her wife Jenevieve and great grandson Owen, granddaughter Annie and her husband Joey Diehl and great grandchildren Kage, Declan, and Walter, grandson Michael and his wife Emily; daughter Margaret Lute of North Kansas City, grandson David and his wife Samantha and great grandchildren Ayden and Avery and granddaughter Carrie Jane and her husband Randy Guilfoyle and great grandson Will; son Bill, daughter-in-law Tammy of Lenexa, KS, grandson Brett and wife Sarah and great granddaughter Lylee, grandson Brady and his wife Sara, and great grandson Adam, granddaughter Rebecca and her husband Spencer Ferguson; son Ed of Harrison Arkansas, granddaughter Jennifer Perkins and great granddaughter Rylee; son David and daughter-in-law Lizbeth and granddaughter Allie and her husband James O’Brien; daughter Janna and son-in-law Stefan Stevenson, grandson Joey and his wife Cortney, great grandson Gunnar and granddaughters Aspen and Emery and granddaughter Michelle.

The funeral service will be live streamed via the link below.