Mack David Maffett, 1936-2021

Mack Maffett, 84, passed away on May 19, 2021 in Des Moines, IA. A visitation will be held at Stevens Memorial Chapel on Thursday, May 27 from 5 to 7 PM. A service will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 28 at 10 AM. Burial will follow the service at Ames Municipal Cemetery.

Mack Maffett was born to Templyn and Charmie (Granger) Maffett on July 20, 1936, in Middletown, OH. He graduated from Middletown High School in 1954 where he played tennis, earning a State title. Mack went on to play tennis at Muskingum University as well. After going to Muskingum University for three years, he was able to transfer to the University of Cincinnati and complete his Doctor of Jurisprudence. During this time, he continued his love of all sports by writing in the school newspaper, playing table tennis, basketball, baseball, and of course, traveling to play Tennis! In other spare moments, he would spend time with his high school sweetheart, Sue Rusk, and they got married on August 8, 1959. After gaining his law degree, he was recruited by Mutual Benefit Life Insurance, a farm loan company in Iowa. To assist with loans throughout the different states, mainly in the Midwest. He moved his family to Ames, Iowa where he spent the next 57 years of his life. Both working with his new company and in private practice doing taxes, wills, and estates, he recently retired from private practice at age 80. He continued to play tennis until his knee and foot no longer could handle the stress and he had to stop playing a sport he truly loved. Mack and Sue were members of Northminster Presbyterian Church and loved being a part of this church family. Mack served on probably all service committees there but mainly served on the finance committee the longest. He had a strong faith in community and to God and loved to spend time getting to know the people around him. The best way he did this was by watching a ball game and talking sports. Mack was also a proud member of the Ames community and loved volunteering his time with the Ames noon Kiwanis, Youth and Shelter Services, and other various committees and boards here in Ames. Mack is also a founding member of the Ames Racquet and Fitness Center.

Mack is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rosalie (Maffett) Bogue; and granddaughter, Kylie (Perrin) Musfeldt.  Mack is survived by his wife, Janice ‘Sue’ (Rusk) Maffett; children, Scott (Maria) Maffett and Kristi (Rick) Perrin; grandchildren, Jake, Logan, Isaac, and Ben; and great-grandchildren, Colby and Hadley.

Memorial contributions for Mack Maffett can be addressed to Food at First (611 Clark Ave. Ames, 50010 (515) 344-4357) or YSS (P.O. Box 1628 Ames, 50010 (515) 233-3141).