Richard Maurer

Richard J. Maurer, 86 year old resident of Pierz, MN died Monday, March 12 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 15 at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz, MN with Rev. Gerald Dalseth officiating. Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN. Friends may call from 4-8 PM on Wednesday and from 9-10 AM on Thursday at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz, MN. Christian Mothers Rosary will be said at 4:30 PM, Parish Prayers 6:30 PM on Wednesday evening. Military Rites will be conducted by the Pierz American Legion Post #341. Richard was born April 8, 1920 in Pierz, MN to the late Wenzel and Frances (Kobilka) Maurer. He grew up and attended school in Pierz, MN. Richard enlisted in the United States Army on May 18, 1942 at Fort Snelling, MN. He was honorably discharged on January 4, 1946 at Camp McCoy, WI. Richard volunteered for infantry duty overseas and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 222 Regiment, 42, Rainbow Infantry Division. He saw combat in the European Theatre of both France and Germany. He took part in the liberation of the German Concentration Camp in Dachau. Richard was immensely proud of having fought for and protected the freedoms of this country. He received the European Theatre Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theatre Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Richard was united in marriage to Margaret Hoheisel on September 30, 1946 in Pierz, MN. The couple made their home in Pierz, MN, where they owned and operated Standard Service Station for over 40 years. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Pierz American Legion Post #341. He enjoyed reading, cheering for the Minnesota Twins, making spearing decoys and was an avid outdoorsman. Richard is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Margaret Maurer of Pierz, MN; children, Nancy Amireault and husband, Mark of Dayton, MN, Tom Maurer and wife, Mary Anne of Brooklyn Park, MN, Dick Maurer and wife, Carol of Pierz, MN, Rosann Tschida and husband, David of Anoka, MN, Peggy Toonen and husband, Rich of Forest Lake, MN, Ann Sauter and husband, Patrick of Crystal, MN, Lynn Waytashek and husband, Glenn of Parker, CO; 16 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren that brought a sparkle to Richard's eye; siblings, Isabelle Bush of Burbank, CA, Leo Maurer and wife, Marie of Little Falls, MN, Bernie Maurer and wife, Helen of Little Falls, MN, Joan Valley of Mounds View, MN; sister-in-law, Caroline Maurer of Little Falls, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ervin Maurer, Earl Maurer and Edward Maurer. sister, Irene Maurer. Casketbearers will be: Brian Amireault, Tim Amireault, Ben Maurer, Nick Maurer, Luke Toonen, Christopher Toonen, Michael Toonen, Sean Maurer, Matthew Sauter and Andrew Waytashek.