Linda Eileen (Outhouse) Maas, 85, of Centralia, IL passed away on October 21st surrounded by her loving family.

Born on January 8, 1941, in Centralia, IL, Linda was the daughter of Talmadge and Mildred (Ainscough) Outhouse. She grew up alongside her sisters on a farm in Patoka, IL, where life was filled with hard work but also priceless memories that shaped her love for family.

On September 29, 1960, Linda married the love of her life, Jimmy Maas, a marriage that began in a fully furnished home Jimmy worked hard to purchase and pay for so they could move in on their wedding day. Soon after, they moved to the country to raise their family and have lived in the same home for the past 60+ years. Their love story began on a blind date set up by her school friend (and now sister-in-law) Jessie Lou, whose boyfriend was Jimmy’s twin brother Jerry. Jimmy proposed at the home of Linda’s Aunt Loretta in the fall of 1960, and just a few weeks later, they became husband and wife.

Linda was a homemaker from the age of 19 and took great joy in caring for her home and family. She and Jimmy helped raise many children over the years outside of their own three, opening their hearts and home to anyone in need. Their house was always a safe place, full of love, laughter, and the smell of great food, where no one ever left hungry. She was known for her home-cooked meals and her gentle insistence that everyone have seconds. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. Her family was her greatest pride.

Before marriage, Linda worked as a nanny in Chicago during the summer of 1958 and graduated from airline stewardess school in 1959. She also served as a “Pink Lady” hospital volunteer, cared for many sick family members over the years, and later worked at Pet Mart in Centralia and 5 C’s Learning Center at Central City Baptist Church. Once President of the Women’s Club in Sandoval she helped to secure funding for the flag stand in the middle of town for all patriotic holidays.

Linda’s faith was the foundation of her life. She made sure her children were in church every Sunday, she sang in the choir for years at Eternity Baptist Church, and found joy in reading her Bible. She loved the country life with her family, watching all of her grandchildren grow, traveling, being on the go, tending to her flowers and gardens, laughing, telling jokes, talking to her sisters and friends, eating ice cream, and in later years, spending time with all her beloved friends at the BCMW Senior Center.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jimmy Maas; her parents, Talmadge and Mildred Outhouse; in-laws Rene and Charlie Maas; sister Norma (Paul) Hauck; brothers-in-law Don Wurm, Jerry Maas, and Donald Maas; sister-in-law Freda Maas; grandparents Ellis and Pauline Outhouse and Hattie and Peter Ainscough.

She is survived by her sister Karen Sue Wurm; sister-in-law Jessie Lou Maas; children Larry (Danya) Maas, Kathy (Joe) Telford, and Amanda (Clint) Knox; grandchildren Josh (Helen) Telford, Stephanie (Justin) Burton, Chase (Sammi) Telford, Alexandria Tindall, Erin Maas, Rachel Maas, and Anastasia Tindall; great-grandson Leo Telford; many beloved nieces and nephews; countless friends; and her dear best friend of 76 years, Sue Herrin.

Linda’s life was a living testimony of love, faith, and devotion. She leaves behind a selfless legacy of kindness, hospitality, and laughter. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now rejoicing in her heavenly home. She prayed for anyone and everyone, never met a stranger, and would encourage all to love the Lord so they may be reunited with her one day.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval with Reverend Donald Maas officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Evergreen Cemetery in Central City, where Linda will be laid to rest beside her husband. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend a visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, and an hour prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home in Sandoval. Memorials may be made in Linda’s honor to the Sandoval Fire Department. Online condolences and memories of Linda may be shared with her family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.