Gene "Mick" Maurer

Larchwood, IA Gene Mick Maurer, age 73 of Spirit Lake, IA formerly of Larchwood, IA died Saturday, May 8, 2010 at his home in Spirit Lake. Memorial service will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 15th at the United Church of Christ in Larchwood, IA, with Rev. Kelly Volk officiating. Burial will take place prior to the memorial service, with family meeting at Hillside Cemetery in Lester, IA at 9:45 AM. Visitation will be Friday, May 14th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Larchwood. Gene Mick Maurer was born July 10, 1936 in Canby, MN to Herman and Eleanor (Berg) Maurer. He was raised and received most of his education in Alvord, Iowa and graduated from Inwood Iowa High School. Mick lived in the Inwood area until he moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa in 1974. He worked for a boat shop as a marine mechanic until forming his own company called Micks Marine. Mick built a successful business for himself over the years and enjoyed many loyal customers. He was an avid NASCAR fan and especially enjoyed watching Dale Earnhardt race. Mick and his brother shared many trips to Daytona to watch the races. He had a strong interest in military history and even made a trip with friends to Germany visiting many of the WWII sites and museums which had a profound effect on him. Mick loved old time western music. He enjoyed groups like Marty Robbins, Sonny James and The Sons of the Pioneers. Mick was a lifetime member of the NRA and enjoyed gun collecting and fishing. But mostly, he looked forward to spending time with his family. He enjoyed the many visits with his mother and occasional trips with her around the area. She and Mick once made a wonderful drive to Wyoming to visit the Johnsons, a couple Herman and Eleanor had known from many years before. Mick also loved to spend time with his brothers and sisters and their children. He will be greatly missed. Mick is survived by his mother, Eleanor Maurer of Inwood, IA; brothers, Harlan (Donna) Maurer of Larchwood, IA and Robert (Jan) Maurer of Des Moines, IA; sisters, Marilyn Ripperda of Worthington, MN and Karon (Dennis) Kramer of Sioux Falls, SD; brothers, Paul (Mavis) Maurer of Larchwood, IA and Alan (Norma) Maurer of Larchwood, IA, Jerry (Barb) Maurer of Larchwood, IA; and sister-in-law, Donna Maurer of Ankeny, IA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Herman Maurer; brother, Roger Maurer; niece, Kathy Maurer; nephew, Jonathan Maurer; brother-in-law, Larry Ripperda; nieces, Katriese Maurer and Baby Girl Lange.