Mike Maassen

Rock Valley, IA: Mike Maassen, 66, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Saturday, January 20, 2024, at his home in Rock Valley. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 27, at 11:30 AM at Faith Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Pastor Jim Sweers of First Community Church of Hope in Doon, Iowa officiating. The service can be livestreamed at https://faithrv.com/. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held prior to the service on Saturday from 9:30-11:00 AM at Faith Reformed.

   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Rock Valley Gun Club. Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley has been entrusted with funeral arrangements for Mr. Maassen.

   Myron “Mike” Jay Maassen was born April 21, 1957, in Sioux Center, Iowa, the son of Marinus and Jennie (Kooiman) Maassen. Mike married the love of his life, Liane Becker, on May 19, 1984, in Rock Valley, Iowa. Mike and Liane would go on to have two daughters, Kelsey and Sara.

   After graduating from Rock Valley Public High School, Mike worked for Fischer Construction and even worked as a cop at nights. Mike began working for Rock Valley Public School in September of 1984, as the maintenance man and bus driver. It was there that Mike spent the next 35 years creating lasting memories for all the students lucky enough to ride on his bus or meet him in the hallway. Co-workers loved him as he had endless stories, jokes, and pranks up his sleeve that would always leave a room with brighter smiles than when he entered.

   Mike’s love for the outdoors was ever prominent. Between hunting getaways and week-long fishing trips, Mike was very active outdoors. Also, whether it was 9-holes or miniature golf, Mike loved to be out on the sticks with a golf club in hand. You could also find Mike spending time at the Rock Valley Gun Club and pool league. He was never truly satisfied until he showed his true prowess in games like 31 and Wahoo. Not only competitive on the field but also on the tabletops. Not unlike his dominance in board games, Mike, along with his wife, liked to make guest appearances at bingo fairs across the northwest Iowa area! Traveling wasn’t Mike’s favorite thing to do, so he found his vacation spots at various bed and breakfast wineries across the area, he often loved taking those trips with his wife and children.

   Mike very much loved this community, his church family, and all alike. He was a great husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be dearly missed.

   Mike is survived by his wife, Liane; mother, Jennie Maassen of Rock Valley; children, Kelsey Maassen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Sara (Dalton) Bennett of Doon, Iowa; siblings, Sandi (Steve) Anderson, Butch (Karen) Maassen, Brad (Mike) Maassen, Larry (Pam) Maassen, Leanne (Doug) Bliek, and Brent (Carisa) Maassen; brothers and sisters-in-law, Arlin Becker, Anita (Bill) Vossmeyer, Luiza (Greg) Peterson, Lucas Becker, Alona (Blair) Bjerkeset and Donna Maassen; and many nieces and nephews.

   He was preceded in death by his father, Marinus; brother, Doug Maassen; and brother-in-law, Peter Koehler.