Henry Wass

Henry Wass

Henry Wass
December 10, 1919 – February 28, 2016
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 96

Henry Wass, 96, of Oskaloosa, died Sunday, February 28, 2016, at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. Henry was born on December 10,1919 to Thelma and Gerald Wass in Winterport, Maine.

Henry, a Quaker, left Maine in 1948 to attend William Penn College. In the Spring of 1950 Henry began to work at the college. While serving as a Cub Scout leader in Oskaloosa, Henry met Carroll Mott and his mother, Wilma Mott (widow of Alfred Mott). Henry loved to tell the story of how Carroll asked Henry “Are you going to marry my mom?” and Henry replied “if she’ll have me”. Henry married Wilma on June 6,1959.

Henry worked in maintenance for William Penn, the YMCA of Oskaloosa, and for the Oskaloosa Waste Water Treatment Plant. He continued to work at the Recreation Room at William Penn until the age of 88. He very much enjoyed the students there, including attending William Penn sporting events. Henry was extremely out-going and was always the first to greet people, especially students or children needing to meet a friendly face.

Henry had been an active member of College Ave Friends church for over 50 years. He had served as treasurer, Sunday school superintendent, and head usher. The children of the church knew Henry as the “tootsie roll” man – always ready to hand them out to kids. Over the years Henry also enjoyed getting to know the families and children of Jack and Jill pre-school at the Friends church when he served as a custodian there.

Since 2007, he had resided at Whites Oak Estates, then in 2014 he moved to Crystal Heights Care Center. On many Fridays you could find Henry sharing a meal with his friends Steve and Cindy Shoup at the Riverside II Restaurant.

Henry is survived by Vicky Mott (widow of Carroll Mott), their children Ambra (& Dean) Terry and Todd Mott; along with their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; a stepson, Carroll Mott; a step grandson, Gary Mott; a step great grandson, Kenton Mott; and his parents and siblings, including his identical twin, Willard Wass.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor James Tower officiating.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Tuesday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral home from 5-7 Tuesday to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to William Penn University or College Avenue Friends Church.