Raymond Maas

Raymond Maas, 73, Fargo, ND, went home to heaven on May 22, 2010 at MeritCare Health System's Palliative Care Unit, Fargo, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Ray Maas was born March 12, 1937 in Jamestown, ND to William (Bill) and Anna (Schneekloth) Maas. He grew up in the rural town of Sydney, ND, working with his parents in their country store. In the summers Ray enjoyed working alongside his cousins, at his uncle's farm and he was a very active member of 4-H. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1955. Following graduation, he moved to Fargo where he earned a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering at North Dakota Agricultural College (NSDU). Ray was a lifelong supporter of the Ag Engineering department. He was awarded an honorary Alpha Epsilon membership in 2008. (The Honor Society of Agricultural, Food, and Biological Engineering) Ray married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Letcher, on August 31, 1958. They enjoyed traveling together, especially winter cruises, throughout their fifty-two years together. Ray worked for Ulteig Engineers before being recruited by Adams, Inc. as an HVAC Engineer. In 1977 Ray started his own business, Environmental Control, Inc. ECI had branches in Fargo, Bismarck and Rapid City. ECI was purchased in 1983 by Baker Wholesale. Ray continued as Baker's HVAC manager, later becoming the Fargo branch manager. Effective Concepts, LLC was started in 1991 by Ray and his son, Craig. Ray loved running Effective Concepts, an energy consulting and lighting sales firm. Ray Maas was a joyful servant of the Lord. He was an active member of the Y Service Club (for the YMCA), representing them as a past president. In recent years, he has been involved in the Order of St. Luke, Harvest Evangelism, Russian Harvest Ministries and many community prayer groups. Ray was an active member of First Lutheran Church and was a beacon for the Lord wherever he went. Ray is survived by his wife, Charlotte, Fargo, ND; two children, Craig Maas, Fargo, ND, Suzanne (Paul) Dobbins, West Fargo, ND; three grandchildren; two sisters, Gladys Pecore, Spring Lake Park, MN and Judy Maas, St. Paul, MN. Funeral Service: Thursday, May 27, 2010, 10:00 AM at First Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.