Leo W. Maurer

Leo was born March 26, 1922 in Pierz, MN to the late Wenzel and Francis (Kobilka) Maurer. He attended country school near Buckman, MN growing up on the farm of his Aunt Annie and Uncle Bill Girtz. He entered the US Army in 1942 and served under Gen. Patton with the 12th Armored Division. Leo saw combat in the Ardennes, Central Europe and D-Day Invasion, earning the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and Purple Heart Recipient at the Battle of The Bulge. He helped liberate the concentration camp at Lansburg, Germany and several others before acting as interpreter for German POW’s. Leo was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned home. Leo was united in marriage to his sweetheart, Marie Gau on June 1, 1946 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz, MN. The couple have resided in Little Falls for the last 41 years. Leo mastered the art of Auto Body/Custom Repair. He restored antique autos, including a 1926 Model A, 1950 Nash and a 1936 Packard to name a few. He also oversaw the restoration of Charles Lindbergh’s personal vehicle. Leo worked as a body shop repairman for Thielen Chevrolet and 122 Motors in Little Falls, MN for many years. He co-owned Pierz Standard with brother, Richard for several years and was owner/operator of Uptown Mobil in Fairmont, MN. Together they raised 10 children. Leo is survived by his wife Marie of 62 years; sons, Bob Maurer of Bovey, MN; Chuck (Lisa) Maurer of St. Cloud, MN; Ken Maurer of St. Cloud, MN; and Michael (Marj) Maurer of Atwater, MN; daughters Mary (Ken) Frank of Cold Spring, MN; Susan (Tom) Frank of St. Nicholas, MN; Pat (John) Messer of Oak Grove, MN and Barb (Emery) Strack of Randall, MN; Daughters-in-law, Bobbi Maurer of Rockville, MN and Mary Maurer of Foley, MN; brother, Bernie (Helen) Maurer of Little Falls, MN; sisters, Isabel Bush of Burbank, CA and JoAnn Valley of Mounds View, MN; sisters-in-law, Helen Maurer of Gig Harbor, WA; Margaret Maurer of Pierz, MN; Shirley Maurer of Hobe Sound, FL and Caroline Maurer of Little Falls, MN; 32 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Leo was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Jim and John Maurer; grandchildren, Heidi Maurer-Zenner and Kelly Frank; brothers, Ervin, Richard, Earl, and Edward Maurer; sister, Irene Scholl; brothers-in-law, Bud Bush; Richard Scholl, and LeRoy Valley. Pallbearers will be Michael Strack, Brooks Maurer, Thomas Maurer, Nickolas Messer, Raissa Maurer, Corey Frank, Lisa Frank, Shane Maurer-Zenner, Nick Maurer, and Jamey Maurer.

Tributes

Leo W. Maurer

March 26, 1922 - April 30, 2008