He grew up in Genoa and found early employment at the age of 8, selling popcorn in downtown Genoa back when businesses had “open nights.” He graduated from Genoa High in 1948 and started college at Kearney State Teachers College the next Fall. In January 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served his country for four years.
On January 20, 1952, Marv married Dorothy Nadine Ericson at the West Hill Church in rural Genoa. They had two children, Carmen Kay Maurer, J.D. and Joel Eric Maurer, M.D.
After his military discharge, Marv resumed his education, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Education, majoring in Business and Speech, followed by a Master of Science in School Administration and an Education Specialist Degree, all from the University of Nebraska. Marv started his career as a classroom teacher in Waco, Nebraska, and over the following 10 years, accepted appointments as Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent in Talmage; Gresham; Alvo-Eagle; Olathe, Kansas; and finally moving to Grand Island in 1966, where he served until retirement. In 1995, he moved to Lincoln, to be closer to his granddaughter Zoe Joell.
Marv learned from his high school teacher and mentor, Perry Anderson, that education is the key to success, and Marv was keen to pass that message on to all. With the aid of his wife Dorothy, the two financed their own educations, as well as those of their daughter, son, and granddaughter Zoe, including a number of professional and post-graduate degrees for Marv and his kids. In addition to supporting his own family’s educations, he was passionate about a program he founded through the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation, known as the Academic Aristocrats, which awards scholarships to the top 15% of the Grand Island Senior High graduating class. He considered the education of others to be his legacy.
He was active in the Shrine Tehama Temple of Hastings, the Shriner’s group known as the Royal Order of Jesters, and a member of Augustana Lutheran Church, Genoa, Nebraska. He loved high school and college sports. In 1966, he secured season tickets to Cornhusker Football and never, not once, missed a home football game after that time. Eventually, he also acquired season tickets to Husker Volleyball and Baseball.
Marv is survived by his daughter Carmen (Gary Dolan), son Joel (David Rayl), granddaughter Zoe, and sister, Roberta Sohrweid, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Merja Pankakoski, the Maurer family’s 1973 exchange student that he considered his Finnish daughter, and Tara, his standard poodle and best companion to the end. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brothers Dean, Duane and Philip.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 10:00 a.m., on Friday, April 29, 2022, at Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 “M” Street, Lincoln, NE. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 pm on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at Ropers and Sons, 4300 “O” Street, Lincoln. The family will be present at visitation from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Burial and graveside services will follow on Friday at 2:30 pm at West Hill Cemetery in rural Genoa, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers: donations to Grand Island Public Schools
Foundation/Academic Aristocrats, 2124 N Lafayette Ave, Grand Island, NE 68803; or Augustana Lutheran Church, 724 Webster Ave, Genoa, NE 68640.