Eleanor Maurer

Alvord, Iowa Eleanor Maurer, age 97 of Alvord, IA died Friday, November 12, 2010 at the Sanford Hospital in Canton, SD. Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the United Church of Christ in Larchwood, IA with Pastor Kelly Volk officiating. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Lester, IA. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 16th from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Larchwood, IA. Eleanor Christina Louisa Maurer was born June 14, 1913 on a farm near Alvord, IA to August and Olga (Stuerman) Berg. She began her education at the Alvord School and finished the 8th grade at the Estelline, SD school. She was married to Herman Maurer in March of 1934 and the couple began their lives together living on a farm near Canby, MN. While living on that farm, their first two sons were born, Harlan and Gene. Later, in 1938, they moved to the family farm in rural Alvord which belonged to Hermans father, August Maurer. There they lived and worked and raised their family of 9 children. Herman passed away in 1974 but Eleanor remained on the farm until 2008 when she entered Fellowship Village in Inwood, IA. Eleanor enjoyed sewing, patching and making clothes, playing the organ and accordion. She was a wonderful cook and her children and grandchildren will fondly remember her homemade bread, potato salad and cookies. She and Herman developed a hobby of Lapidary, which included the collecting and polishing of gemstones and other rocks. They built many friendships over the years as they went out west to hunt rocks in places such as Wyoming, Montana, and the Black Hills. Their hobby eventually turned into a business when they opened a shop on their farm and sold jewelry made with the gems. Eleanor and Herman left many beautiful pieces of their work which have become family heirlooms for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to cherish. Most of all, Eleanor loved her family. Her joy was to spend time with them. This past Friday, Eleanor died at the Sanford Hospital in Canton, SD at the age of 97. She will be greatly missed. Eleanor is survived by her children, son, Harlan (Donna) Maurer of Larchwood, IA, son, Robert (Jan) Maurer of Des Moines, IA, daughter-in-law, Donna Maurer of Ankeny, IA, daughter, Marilyn Ripperda of Worthington, MN, daughter, Karon (Dennis) Kramer of Sioux Falls, SD, sons, Paul (Mavis) Maurer, Alan (Norma) Maurer, and Jerry (Barb) Maurer all of Larchwood; sister, Vivian Holter of Estelline, SD; sister-in-law, Esther Berg of Goodwin, SD; 27 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, 3 great, great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, August and Olga Berg; her husband, Herman, sons, Gene and Roger, son-in-law, Larry Ripperda, grandchildren, Kathy and Jon, great-granddaughter Katriese, an infant granddaughter, sister, Almyra Berg-Goddard, brothers, Vincent and Waldo Berg, and brother-in-law Norman Holter.