May 17, 1915 – July 8, 2013
Nicholas “Nick” James Mausen, 98, formerly of Sweet Home, died Monday, July 8, 2013 in Lebanon.
Nicholas was born May 17, 1915 in Chicago, Ill., the son of Nicholas and Marie (O’Dwyer) Mausen. He was raised, educated and resided in Chicago, working for both Republic Steel and Inland Steel as a young man.
Mr. Mausen competed in ice skating, football, wrestling and baseball, and enjoyed many other spectator sports. In his youth, he toured large portions of the United States and Canada on his motorcycle.
He met Ann Marie Karakas and they later married in Chicago on Nov.7, 1938. The couple started their family in Chicago and moved to Sweet Home in 1948.
Mr. Mausen worked in area sawmills (Santiam Lumber, Willamette Industries, TOMCO) and later changed careers and retired as a machinist for Linn Gear in Lebanon. He and his wife were enthusiastic fans of their children and grandchildren’s activities and enjoyed traveling in their retirement until Ann’s death on Jan. 9, 1987.
He married Teresa Miller Smith on Feb. 17, 1990 and they lived in Sweet Home until his health necessitated a move to Century Fields Assisted Living facility in Lebanon last year.
Mr. Mausen was a member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Sweet Home before the church itself was built. He and his family were present at the consecration and dedication of the newly built St. Helen’s Church in 1953.
He is survived by his original seven children, Madelyn Sant, Nicholas, Mark, Timothy, John, Diane, and Julie Fosnaugh; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; his wife Teresa and her two children, Stephen and Kathleen, as well as her extended step-family, including three grandsons, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
He is also survived by a sister, Madonna Leisure; many nieces and nephews; and the Billy Snow family – close and beloved people he always considered family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Evelyn and Marie “Shashie;” and brother James.
A funeral mass was held July 16 at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, immediately followed by a luncheon in the parish hall. Interment was at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery.
Contributions in Mr. Mausen’s memory may be made to the Mount Angel Abbey and Seminary and sent in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355.