Paul William Maurer, 78, died unexpectedly on August 25 in his country home outside of Hermosa, SD, beneath towering trees and skies of a million stars. Paul and his late wife, Mavis, had followed their dream to live there after their retirement in 2010. They took solace in the quiet and marveled at the woodland animals. Mavis fought a valiant battle with cancer before she passed in 2018. Paul chose to stay in Hermosa with his favored (and feisty) cats, Jack and Boo.

Paul was born the seventh of nine children on October 17, 1946, to Herman and Eleanor Maurer. He grew up on the family farm near Alvord, IA, and graduated from West Lyon Community School in 1965. In his 20s, Paul helped on the farm while serving in the Minnesota National Guard. He met the love of his life, Mavis Tracy, and they married November 14, 1970. They lived on farms in Larchwood and Lester, IA, where they raised their blended family.

Throughout his life, Paul’s natural curiosity and technical acumen served him well. He held jobs as a machinist at Kooima’s and A&I Products (Rock Valley, IA), and at Tri-State Mint (Sioux Falls, SD). He also enjoyed working at Gateway Computers in Tech Support. He applied the skills he learned there in later employment, and also (kindly) helped fix computer issues for friends and family.

Like his brothers, Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, and muscle cars. His 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt was his pride and joy, and he won prizes for it at the Sturgis Mustang Rally. He also went fishing “up north” at Lake of the Woods in his later years with friends, relishing countless catches on the big waters. He was also a fantastic artist and read everything he could find about history.

Preceding him in death are his beloved wife, Mavis; parents Herman and Eleanor; in-laws Leonard and Mary Olson; brothers Harlan, Gene, Robert, Roger, and Alan; sister Marilyn; nieces Kathy, Margaret, and Katrise; and nephew Jon.

Paul’s surviving family includes Bob (Lori) Tracy of Larchwood, IA; Dick Tracy of Sioux Falls, SD; Chrysti Tracy of Sioux Falls; Priscilla (Frank) Briones of Canton, SD; Paula Maurer of Westminster, CO; and Marie Maurer of Larchwood. He is also survived by his sister Karon (Denny) Kramer, Sioux Falls; brother Jerry (Barb) Maurer, Larchwood; sisters-in-law Donna (Harlan) of Larchwood, Donna (Roger) of Ankeny, IA, and Norma (Alan) of Larchwood; and grandchildren Christopher, Jamie, Joseph, Tanner, Amanda, Santana, Haley, Danielle, Kira, and Will. He is also mourned by numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service in Larchwood, IA, and internment at Hillside Cemetery in Lester, IA, will be held on October 18, 2025.  More details to come. 

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