Maurice Fitzer, 89, Luverne, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne.
A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Visitation is from 4–6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, at the Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne.
Maurice Roger Fitzer was born Oct. 10, 1926, to Benjamin and Anna (Husen) Fitzer on the family farm in Luverne Township of Rock County. The family farm became a Century Farm in 2003. Maurice attended District 13 country school through the eighth grade. He continued his education in Luverne and graduated from Luverne High School in 1944.
On April 9, 1948, Maurice married Helen Stein at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The couple made their home on the Fitzer land where they raised their family and continued the farming operation. In 1983 Maurice retired from farming and the couple moved into town. Even after retirement, he enjoyed heading out to the farm and helping his son. Maurice and Helen later moved to an apartment before moving to Poplar Creek Assisted Living.
Maurice was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne for 57 years and served as an elder and a deacon. He served his community as past director of the Beaver Creek Elevator, Beaver Creek Mutual Insurance, and the Rock County Co-op Oil Company. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Agricultural Soil and Conservation Committee and the Luverne Township Board. He was also a dedicated member of the Rock County Historical Society and was integral in preserving the agricultural history of Rock County. Maurice was a good steward of the land. He was passionate about farming and gardening. Maurice enjoyed fishing and spending time at the family cabin in Lake Benton. He especially loved being with his grandchildren.
Maurice is survived by his wife, Helen; two sons, Gregg (Laurie) Fitzer, Inver Grove Heights, and Geff (Jackie) Fitzer, Luverne; eight grandchildren, Gina (Kris) Jacobsen, Katie (Dennis) Haugland, Grant (Alexandra) Fitzer, Brynn Fitzer, Tori (Matthew) Carper, Chris Fitzer (Jessica Quittem), Mikki Fitzer and Connor Fitzer (Lauren Muller); and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Gary Fitzer; and a sister, Margaret Nelson.
Memorials may be directed to the Rock County Historical Society.
Arrangements are by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
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