Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Rice for Ken Maurer who died Friday surrounded by his family at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.  His grandson,  Fr. Jacob Maurer officiated.  Burial was Thursday at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Rice American Legion prayed followed by Immaculate Conception Parish prayers on Tuesday at the funeral home in Sauk Rapids.

 

Ken was born to Joe & Mathilda (Sauer) Maurer.  He grew up in Rice and graduated from Sauk Rapids High School.  He worked for the railroad as a teenager as member of a section gang.  He served in the United States Army as a paratrooper of four years.  He married Clara Donnay of Watkins on June 29, 1953.  Throughout his life, he held jobs in the cities, along with twelve years as a telegrapher for  Northern Pacific, and worked into retirement at Remmelle in Big Lake.  He worked summers in Yellowstone and wintered in Virginia Beach.  

 

Ken is survived by two daughters, Diana (John) of Burnsville; Elizabeth (Rick) Miller of Washington; seven sons, Ken, Jr. of Becker; Jerry (Peggy) of Washington; Mike (Carolyn) of St. Paul; Bruce of Albertville; David of Monticello; Charles of Becker; and Bill (Katie) of Pine Center.  He is also survived by Clara, mother of his children, sisters, Dorothy Christle of Rice; Renee Tadych of Colorado; Dolly (Marlin) Johnson of Rice; brother Henry of Forest Lake; sisters in law, Jean Maurer, Marlene Maurer, 22 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and great-great granddaughter, Aurora.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Iola Houde and Cliota Blacser, brothers, Jim, Joseph and Vernon.