Joseph Maurer

Joseph F. “Bud” Maurer of Great Falls, 88, passed away February 9, 2014 at Peace Hospice from natural causes. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 13, 2014 from 9 am to 5 pm at O’Connor Funeral Home. Funeral liturgy will be Friday, February 14, 2014 at 2:00 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with burial to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Bud was born July 18, 1925 in Great Falls. He was the son of pioneers, Frank and Flora Maurer. He spent most of his life in the Eden community on the family ranch founded in 1893 by his grandfather, Anton Maurer. A longtime producer of Angus cattle, Bud bought some of the first of this breed to this area when he started his herd in 1953. He also raised registered seed grain. In 1950 he was married to Betty Lou De Rooy and they lived on the Eden ranch until 1988 when they moved to Great Falls. Betty passed away in 1999. He later married Barbara Konesky in Great Falls. Long active in community affairs, Bud served as chairman of the board and as a trustee of the Eden Road Committee, vice-president of the Eden Hall Board, and as a trustee of the Centerville School District. He is well known in agricultural circles having served on the Montana Stock Growers Board of Directors, president of the Foothills Livestock Association, and the North Montana Angus Association, as well as a member of the Cascade County Planning Board, and chairman of the Cascade County ASCS Committee. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and a life member of BPOE Elks #214. Bud enjoyed the outdoors, bowling, golf, fishing, and playing horseshoes. Bud is survived by his wife, Barbara of Great Falls; son David Maurer of Lakeside, MT; sister Lucille King of Missoula; and many dear nieces, nephews, sisters-in-laws, brothers-in-laws; and cousins. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty; parents Frank and Flora Maurer; daughter Wendy; brother Clarence; and beloved dog Shotsi.