Harold was born on September 10th, 1928 and passed away on October 27th, 2025 at the age of 97.
Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein with Rev. Scott Hall officiating.
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, November 6, 2025, and for one hour before the service on Friday at the funeral home.
Military Honors by the Ross Reid American Legion Post #9 Honor Guard of Oelwein will be held at the funeral home following the service.
Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation.
Harold LeRoy Maser, 97, of Waterloo, formerly of Oelwein and Arlington, Iowa, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born on September 10, 1928, in Arlington, Iowa, the son of Leslie LaVerne and Lelia Marie (Stowell) Maser.
Harold grew up attending the Church of Christ in Arlington, Iowa, and received his education at Fayette County School and graduated from 8th grade at the high school in West Union on May 16, 1942. Following graduation, he helped on his family farm until 1945.
From 1945 to 1951, Harold worked as a lineman at Jacobs and Doyle construction. In 1951, he entered the United States Army, completing basic training at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was stationed at Elmendorf Airbase in Alaska during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1953, mustering out with the rank of Corporal (CPL). Harold was a proud veteran and lifelong member of American Legion Post 219, where he served as both Vice Commander and Commander over the years.
After returning home, Harold was united in marriage to Fonda Mae Rodgers on July 4, 1951, in Arlington. They shared 48 years of marriage before Fonda’s passing on February 7, 2000. From 1953 to 1958, Harold worked for Sunbeam Bakery, and from 1958 to 1961, he was employed by the Rural Electric Association.
In 1961, Harold began farming full-time, a calling that became his lifelong passion. He farmed until his retirement, but his hands never stayed idle-he continued to help the Recker family during spring and fall harvests until moving from his farm in 2020. Through the years, Harold raised milk cows, sheep, pigs, steers, and horses, caring for each animal with dedication and quiet pride.
On September 8, 2018, after 16 years together, Harold married Dora Lee (Rhines) Maser at Faith Assembly of God in Elk Run Heights. They made their home in Evansdale, Iowa. Dora Lee passed on February 16, 2021.
He enjoyed the simple pleasures in lifetime spent with family and friends, a quiet afternoon at the river with a fishing pole, cheering on the Dodgers, or feeding the birds and squirrels outside his patio. He appreciated a good day’s work, a familiar routine, and a cold one shared in good company.
There was rarely a person who met Harold that he didn’t leave an impression on. He was kind, steady, and genuine-a man of few words, but those who knew him best always knew where they stood. He had a deep love for farming and for caring for his animals, especially his cows. He also took in his two granddaughters’ horses, tending to them as if they were his own. His loyal dog, Winn, was his shadow and constant companion-where Harold went, Winn followed.
Harold is survived by his stepdaughter: Michelle “Missy” (Kevin) Langdale of Elk Run Heights; two grandchildren, Samantha Moore and Chelsey Moore, both of Waterloo, Iowa; three siblings: Dorothy Thein of Arlington, Iowa, Ron Maser of Oelwein, Iowa, and Mary Fish of Oelwein, Iowa; nieces: Phyllis “P.J.” (Mark) Trostel of Wetmore, Colorado, and Carmen Dixon of Florence, Colorado; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie LaVerne and Lelia Marie (Stowell) Maser; his wives, Fonda Mae Rodgers and Dora Lee Rhines Maser; one brother, Leo Maser; and two sisters, Darlene Puffett and Norma Kappmeyer.
Harold’s 97 years were defined by hard work, faith, and devotion to the people and places he loved most. His gentle spirit, enduring strength, and love will be missed beyond measure but remembered always.
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