Kenneth Maurer, age 95, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, went home to his Lord on March 1, 2025.
Ken was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on June 1, 1929, the son of Herman and Hildegard Schaller Maurer. He attended rural Monroe grade school, where he learned to speak English after growing up fluent in German. Ken graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1947. He attended University Wisconsin Sheboygan for one year and attended numerous banking schools during his banking career.
On May 17, 1952, he married Helen Friedrichsmeier at Saint Clement Catholic Church in Sheboygan. They were blessed with nearly 73 years of marriage and three wonderful children: Cheryl, Scott, and Mark.
In 1949 he began his banking career at Citizens State Bank in Sheboygan Falls.
In 1951 Ken was drafted into the US Army serving during the Korean crisis from 1951 to 1953, obtaining the rank of staff sergeant.
Upon his return to civilian life, Ken resumed his work at Citizens State Bank. Over the next 37 years, he served in various capacities at Citizens Bank and its successors, including unit president, at various Sheboygan County locations. He retired in 1988, and then joined his banking friend, Tony Jovanovich, to establish Community Bank and Trust (now part of Wisconsin Bank and Trust) serving as the bank’s first president. Retiring from active banking in 1992 he continued to serve on its Board of Directors until its sale in 2014. The Community Bank and Trust years were the highlight of his 50+ year banking career.
Ken was an active and faithful member of Blessed Trinity Parish, Sheboygan Falls. He served as secretary and trustee of the building committee for numerous years, including during the new church construction in 1967. He also served on the parish council, the finance and endowment committee, the cemetery committee, and was member of the usher society. In 2016 he was presented with the Blessed Trinity life achievement award.
In addition to the bank board, he served on the Board of Directors of Sheboygan Falls Mutual Insurance Company for many years. He was active with many community organizations including the Sheboygan Falls Kiwanis Club and was awarded the George F. Hixson Fellowship award for his 53 years of service and dedication. Ken was also a member of the Frederick Mueller Norgard American Legion Post 149.
A longtime musician, Ken played a variety of instruments in school and with various local dance bands as a young adult. He would bring his tenor saxophone with him to weddings so he could join in with former bandmates and enjoyed joining the festivities of the annual Pretzel Bender night at Laack’s Hall in Johnsonville. Self-taught on the organ later in life, Ken served as president of the Sheboygan Organ Club for several years.
Ken was an aviation enthusiast receiving his students pilot license at age 16, the same year he obtained his cheesemaker license for assisting with the operation of his parents’ cheese factory.
Antique and classic autos provided him with many enjoyable hours – for years he participated in various area parades with his 1930 Plymouth.
He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Helen, throughout the state and abroad, however, his greatest enjoyment was spending summer vacations in northern Wisconsin with family and friends. He especially enjoyed time with his children – attending their school activities, helping with their homework, flying kites, throwing baseballs, swimming, or just being with them. With his grandchildren, he especially enjoyed the many sleepovers watching movies, eating popcorn, reading stories, playing games, and staying up late. He was known as Grandpa Pops by his grandchildren. His family was his greatest enjoyment. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors include his loving wife and best friend, Helen, daughter Cheryl (Mark) Majcen, Appleton, and their children Sarah Painton and Ryan (Nina) Majcen, son Scotty (Chrissy) Maurer, Adell, and their children Nicole Maurer, Adam (Alex) Maurer, and Carly (Robbie) Krueger, and son, Mark (Laura Docter) Maurer, Manitowoc, and their children Isobel Dupor (Petar Oklobdzija) and Maxfield Docter Maurer. He is survived by great-grandchildren, Pierce, Calden, Drake Painton, Addison and Evelyn Majcen, and a great granddaughter due in August.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother-in-law, William and Elizabeth Friedrichsmeier, his sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Jane and Ric Martin, and Kathleen and Bill Black and many dear friends.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Pine Haven Christian Communities and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. Their thoughtful and loving care were appreciated by all.
No formal visitation will be held before the memorial mass for Ken at Blessed Trinity Parish in Sheboygan Falls on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 12:00pm.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Ken’s name to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
The Lord heals in two ways, He makes us better, or He takes us home.
Rest in peace dear husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Rest in peace.
Wenig Funeral Home – Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting the family. Please visit www.wenigfh.com for online condolences.
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