Aline Hamblen

Aline Hamblen

Aline Maas Hamblen, age 90, of Springfield, MO died peacefully Sunday, July 12, 2015.

Aline was born November 11, 1924 to Rev. William E. Maas and his wife, Alma von Gemmingen Maas in Fredric, WI. Aline earned her RN at Harper Hospital in Detroit, MI and her bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota where she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. She joined the Air Force to serve as a flight nurse in the Korean War. Over her long life, Aline lived in 12 states in the US and 2 other countries -Japan and Germany. One of her more memorable assignments as a nurse came in 1947 when she accompanied baseball legend, Babe Ruth on a long train ride to visit Boys Town orphanages before his death. Aline kept him comfortable as he was dying from throat cancer.

1st. Lt. Aline Maas was stationed at Kelly AFB when she met Captain J. Fred Hamblen. The couple married in 1953 in Laurium, Michigan and the ceremony was officiated by Aline's father, Rev. William E. Maas. In her 50's, Aline earned a Masters in Nursing degree from East Carolina University.

Aline's children and their spouses include J. Fred Hamblen II of Australia, and his wife, Sahlee, William Hamblen of Springfield, MO, his wife, Lissa and grandson, Geddy Hamblen, Lara Hamblen of Cary, NC, her husband, Joseph Wood and grandson, Ethan Wood. Aline and Fred also had a first born, J. Fred Hamblen I who died shortly after birth.

In 1990, Aline married Norbert Harz and lived in Park Ridge, IL before moving to Springfield, MO to be closer to family. Aline and Norb enjoyed the many friends they made at Elfindale and their church, Covenant Presbyterian. Aline also had close bonds with her friends at Quail Creek Nursing Home where she has lived since 2011, especially her attentive team of caregivers on staff.

Throughout her life, Aline found joy in many artistic endeavors, including painting, writing, and flower arranging. She loved classical music, traveling, cooking and genealogy. Never one to watch TV, Aline was always occupied with a project that kept her hands and mind busy. Her motto: "I tried to bloom wherever I was planted."

Aline was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert Harz, brother Dr. Gerald I. Maas and both her parents. Aline is survived by her sister, Ellyn Seifried of Tucson, AZ, brother Marlin Maas and wife, Jacqueline of Park Ridge, IL.

Aline will be memorialized August 21,2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springfield. Internment will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield.