Merton Maus, age 92, of Detroit Lakes, MN, formerly of Mahnomen, MN, died Monday, January 12, 2015, at Arbor Park Living Center in Moorhead, MN.

Merton Alvin Maus was born February 14, 1922, at Lewisville, MN. He was the third of six sons born to Herman and Erna (Karau) Maus. As a boy he attended school, and helped his father with farming in the Lewisville area. When his father purchased a farm in Mahnomen County, Merton came to help, and started attending Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday School. At the end of WWII an attractive young Mahnomen girl returned from her Washington D.C. job, and also started teaching Sunday School at Bethlehem Lutheran. While attending a Sunday School teachers retreat, Merton met the love of his life, Norma Becker. They were married on November 23, 1945, at Bethlehem Lutheran. Together, the couple made their home on the farm near Mahnomen, which Merton eventually bought from his father. In addition to farming, Merton also began learning the plumbing and heating trade from his father in-law, William Becker. Over the years, Merton worked with his father-in-law and brothers-in-law for Becker's Plumbing & Heating. In 1965, Merton purchased the business and it became known as Maus Plumbing & Heating. He continued to operate the plumbing and heating business until it was sold in the late 1980's. Merton and Norma also owned and operated the Mid-Town Motel and Apartments in Mahnomen from 1961 until 1979.

After their retirement, Merton and Norma continued to make their home on the farm near Mahnomen, and remained active in the community. They enjoyed traveling throughout the USA, visiting relatives and friends in many states, as well as visiting their children overseas. In 2002, Merton and Norma moved to Detroit Lakes, where Norma died in 2003. Merton continued to live in Detroit Lakes, with his daughter and her family. He loved working in the yard, but his greatest joy came from his family.

Over the years, Merton was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He served in many different facets, including a Sunday School Superintendent and a church elder. He was also known to do most any maintenance at the church when needed. Even though he attended Zion Lutheran Church after his move to Detroit Lakes, he continued his membership at Bethlehem in Mahnomen. Merton was also a member of the Mahnomen Lions Club, and served on the Riverside Cemetery Board for many years.

Merton is survived by his son, Dean (Marcia) Maus, Brooklyn Park, MN, three daughters, Marilyn Maus, Feltwell, England, LuAnn (Joe) Milner, Colorado Springs, CO, and Rachel (Jeff) Hanson, Moorhead, MN, and eight grandchildren, Amanda, Gregory (Laura), & Jonathan Maus, Samantha, Benjamin, & Katie Milner, Brett (Tori) & Jay Hanson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Norma, infant son, Alan, and five brothers, Delbert, Ivan, Burdett, Eldor, and Donavon. May God bless the memory of Merton Maus.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 14th from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:30 pm at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen. Burial will be in the Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Mahnomen.