Wynne Maas

Wynne Maas was a man who lived life on his own terms. At the same time, he made friends everywhere he went. An avid sportsman in his younger days, he loved to sit around the fire at Camp Tuffit and share stories about the one that got away, and brag about the ones that didn’t. It didn’t matter if he was talking about fishing, hunting or just plain talking; he liked to share with his old and new friends the adventures his life had taken.

Wynne was born in Elmo, Mont. on April 22, 1950 to Lester E. and Emma W. (Marquardt) Maas, and passed away at his home in Helena Saturday, March 31, 2012. The youngest of the four Maas boys, he kept everyone on their toes and made everyone laugh. Known for his wit and character, he was rarely without a quick comeback, comment or opinion. His love for flea markets and ‘great sales’ kept him occupied since he became disabled, right up to the day of his passing. Family and friends could always count on Wynne to scour newspapers and internet for the next ‘best deal.’ He could often be found in the shop tinkering with wood working tools and working on his latest set of plans.

Wynne is survived by his wife, Jeannene; daughter Angel (Byron) Molyneaux of Helena; son Mike of Missoula; grandchildren Kiyana and Daeden Molyneaux; brothers Larry (Nita Marie) of Alexandria Va., Gary (Walene) of Pablo and Lynn (Jeanne) of Los Alamos, N.M. and Proctor, Mont. The extended family includes in-laws Ruth Baxter, Jerry (Brenda) Baxter, Bruce (Janice) Baxter and Keith Baxter. In addition, nieces and nephews: Craig Maas, Carol (Brad) Emerson, Elke Allik, Janet (Glen) Olson, Tony (Shawnna) Berthelote, Lester (Sara) Maas, Jeff (Jeannine) Maas, Lesli (Daron) Crenshaw, Jamie (Slim) Ritchie, Amanda Baxter, Jennifer (Jeff) Kraft, Rhonda Geiger, Sharene (Fred) Ahlin, David Baxter, numerous great nieces and nephews and one great-great niece.

He was also “papa” to Zada, Kameron and Kennedy Dorrington and Jared Molyneaux. Adding to his extended family are many friends including the whole Camp Tuffit Community, the Early Bird Gang, Polson High class of 1968 and many other Polson, Elmo and surrounding area friends, St. Peters Dialysis Unit, Department of Revenue and a host of others too numerous to name.

Wynne was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, Lyle Baxter, and nephew, Sam.

Cremation has taken place at Retz Funeral Home. Due to the widespread reach of Wynne’s friends and family we will have two different memorial services. April 14, in Helena, we will have a time of remembrance for Wynne at the Montana Association of Counties Conference Center, 2715 Skyway Drive from 2-4 p.m. This will be a light hearted celebration and ice cream social.

On May 19, in Polson, a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at Grogan Funeral Home. Afterward, family and friends are invited to join us at Camp Tuffit for a pot-luck and opportunity to share with others the many stories you have about Wynne’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society or charity of choice. Messages of condolences may be shared online at www.groganfuneralhome.com