Maurice “Maury” Metzger

Passed Away on January 17, 2014

Resident of Apache Junction, AZ, Maurice “Maury” Metzger, 81, passed away January 17th, 2014. A celebration of Maury’s life was held Monday at St. George’s Catholic Church in Apache Junction, January 20th, 2014.

Born December 14th, 1932 in Mount Carmel to Severius and Lucy Metzger, Maury was the 9th of 11 children. He was born into a busy farm life and would learn to balance farm chores with school. By 8th grade, he was needed more on the farm and would have quit school, later earning his G.E.D. while serving in the U.S. Army. In 1955 he married the love of his life, Mary Ann Krile in Langdon ND, where they lived for 5 months before moving to Grand Forks, ND. Maury worked for his brother Ray for 5 years in Grand Forks. While there he became a father to his first three daughters. In 1960 he and Mary Ann moved to Minot ND where they would expand their family by two more daughters and one son. Maury owned and operated Metzger’s Electronic Sales in Minot for 30 years. In addition to being a business man, doting father to six, and devoted husband, he also was a local Alderman, President of the Minot Rotary Club, President for the Historical Society, and passionate collector of antique tractors and farm machinery. More than once he would have an authentic ‘old time’ threshing show for his friends, threshing the grain he’d plant on his small three acres of land just outside Minot. Maury, like many of his brothers and family, was a self-taught musician. He was accomplished on the guitar, mandolin and keyboards/piano with a great love for bluegrass, country, and classic american music.

Maury and Mary Ann retired to Arizona in 1984 where he would ‘un-retire’ and work for WestStar and Interwest until he retired permanently in 2002. Maury and Mary Ann were very active in St. George’s parish and involved with the Life Teen program. Yearly he and Mary Ann would give a talk to the teens about marriage. Maury and Mary Ann lived a true love story, from their first kiss in 1953, until their last on January 17th.

Maury is predeceased by his parents, and three brothers, Roy, Nestor and Syl Metzger. Maury is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Mary Ann Metzger, daughters Michelle Metzger (Kelly Hall), Maure Ann Metzger, Teresa (Todd) Sanders, Madonna Swanson, Toni (Bill) Horrace, son Joey Metzger, 11 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and seven siblings, S. Petronilla in Fargo, ND, Emeric (Pat) Metzger, Arnold (Alice) Metzger from Langdon, ND, Ray (Lorraine) Metzger from Byron, MN, Geraldine Waltz,from Langdon, Marilyn (Art) Gapp from Walhalla, ND and Josephine “Josie” (Ken) Bittner from Minot, ND.

Maury’s life touched many, and he will be deeply missed. Funeral and burial arrangements made by Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery of Mesa, AZ.