Maurice Joseph Herzing

Mass of Christian Burial for Maurice Herzing, age 86, of Milaca, will be held on Monday, June 22, 2009, at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Milaca with Fr. Joe Herzing officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery with military honors provided by Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post #178 and Siemers-Hakes VFW Post #10794. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM on Sunday at the church with a rosary at 6:30 PM. Maurice Joseph Herzing was born at home in Belleville, IL on March 6, 1923, to George and Theresa Herzing. He moved with his family to St. Louis and graduated from Hadely Technical High School. While in high school, he worked for a car agency and learned auto mechanics. He was accepted in the Merchant Marine/Naval Academy and served during WWII. He was injured in Italy, and due to this injury he was unable to complete his active duty. After his recovery, he became an engineer and served aboard Merchant Marine ships in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres. In 1947, he and his brother, Fred, moved to the Milaca area and began a dairy farm which now belongs to two nephews. In 1952, he was elected Mille Lacs County Commissioner and served as the Civil Defense Director of Mille Lacs County. He was instrumental in helping establish St. Mary’s Church in Milaca in 1954. He worked as a power plant engineer and dispatcher for the Rural Cooperative Power Assoc. from 1951 to 1967. He then became a turbine engineer for the General Electric Co., eventually becoming a Lead Field Engineer in Large Steam Turbines. In 1989, he was inducted into The Academy of Steam Turbine-Generator Maintenance Hall of Fame in recognition and appreciation of outstanding contribution to the power industry. He retired from GE in 1991. In 1968, he obtained his pilot license. In 1969, he met and married Marilyn Siedl. They bought a homestead in the Milaca area where they raised their three children. Throughout his lifetime, he belonged to many community and civic organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, Stockers Car Club of Milaca and Asst. Scout Master of Milaca Troop 19. He was a member of the VFW and the Moose Lodge and was an American Legion member for over 50 years. He died on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Maurice Herzing, Jr. and wife Carmen of Chicago, IL, Mark Herzing of Milaca and Martha and husband Michael Stellmach of Foley; grandchildren, William, Wesley and Owen Stellmach; also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, George Herzing, Jr., C. Fred Herzing and Anna Mae Gilbert. The family has a website at http://celebratingmaurice.blogspot.com