Henry J. Massop

Olson-Tichenor Funeral Home
307 Main Street NE
Mapleton, MN  56065
(507) 524-3616

Henry John Massop, age 85, of Mapleton, died Thursday, June 30, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health System – Mankato, following a four year battle with leukemia.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Mapleton.  Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday at the church, and continues one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mapleton.  Olson-Tichenor Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Henry was born November 19, 1930, in Storm Lake, IA to Theodore and Hendricka (Beenen) Massop.  He was a 1948 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Storm Lake.  Following high school, Henry was employed with the Illinois Central Railroad.  He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1955, based at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, and also in England for 1 year.  Henry was top of his class of 2500 recruits and was the Wing Chief of a B36 Bomber.

Henry was united in marriage to Irene Wells on December 27, 1952, in Pomeroy, IA.  Following his honorable discharge, he owned a gas station in Mapleton.  Henry also farmed in Ellendale, managed the Bluhm Grain Elevator in Waldorf, and worked for Massop Electric.  After achieving his Master Electrical License, Henry began his own company, Waldorf Electric which he operated from 1972 until 2015.  Henry and Irene lived in Waldorf for 40 years and returned to Mapleton in 1999.

Henry was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Mapleton, the Calvary Cemetery Board, the American Legion, and was a volunteer fireman in Waldorf for 20 years.  He enjoyed early morning coffee with friends, cars, discussing politics, watching the news and keeping up with world events.  Henry enjoyed time with his family and was proud of his children and grandchildren.  He was known for his wit and sense of humor.

Henry is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Irene; four daughters, Kitty (Al) Perkins of Anacortes, WA, Jackie (Jim) Landsteiner of Mapleton, Kim (Dick) Walser of Minnesota Lake, and Shellie (Paul) Landsteiner of Mapleton; one son, Brad (Becky) Massop of New Hope; thirteen grandchildren, Marshall (Ashley) Perkins, Kate (Brian) Martin, Ted (special friend, Samantha Passer) Landsteiner, Jay (special friend, Bre Steele) Landsteiner, Clay (special friend, Cassandra Gradert) Walser, Kara Walser, Cullen Walser, Merrit Landsteiner, Molly Landsteiner, Maddie Landsteiner, Jordyn Massop, Evan Massop, and Lauren Massop; four great-grandchildren, Norah, Gabby, Will, and Lilly; two brothers, Joe (Shirley) Massop of Mapleton and Rich (Carol) Massop of Wisconsin; one sister, Anne Gamble of Indiana; also nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother, Jimmy Massop; brother, John (MaryKay) Massop; nephew, Ronald Gamble; brother-in-law, Cy Gamble; and a sister-in-law, Rita Massop.

Henry’s family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Mankato Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System – Mankato for their professionalism and caring ways, and also to the many people who donate blood for those in need.