Dorvin Maurer

Dorvin Maurer, 89, died April 22, 2009, at the St. John Nursing Home in Springfield, MN. Dorvin was born on February 20,1920, in Ransom County, North Dakota to Gena Erickson Maurer and William Maurer. He was the second child of eight. His family moved to the Springfield area when he was a young child. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. in 1942. Dorvin was deployed to the Marshall Islands in 1944 and was injured by shrapnel. He was awarded the purple heart and honorably discharged in 1945. Dorvin returned to the Springfield area, married Berniece Sydow on January 21, 1946, farmed in Stately Township, and helped raise two daughters. Dorvin was a member of the Stately Town Board for 25 years. He was a founding member of the Farmers Golf and Health Club of Sanborn, Minnesota and he served in several church offices. He was employed at the Sleepy Eye Auction Market for 25 years. Dorvin worked for Security Seed Company during which time he had the opportunity to travel to many places in the world with Berniece including Ireland, Europe, Alaska, Panama Canal, Hawaii, and Costa Rica. They were also able to visit China and Russia. Dorvin enjoyed fishing and ice fishing, especially the thrill of flying into Canada to fish. He also enjoyed golfing, playing cards, eating good food, listening to the kids play and sing music, gardening, farming, and visiting with friends and family. Dorvin and Berniece were married for 63 years. He is survived by his wife, Berniece; two daughters, Linda (Karl) Retzlaff of Morris, MN and Debra (Charles) Brecht of Waterville, MN; six grandchildren: Kandi, Dustin, and Amber Retzlaff and Matt, Jon, and Anne Schreiner; and two great-grandchildren, Katherine and Wesley Schreiner. He is also survived by three sisters, Doris Guse, Shirley Wohlrabe, and Janet U'Ren. He is preceded in death by his parents and five siblings.