Mausser, Joseph C.

Joseph C. Mausser, 81, of Monticello, formerly of Bernard, died Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, where a wake service will be at 2 p.m. and Knights of Columbus rosary at 7 p.m. Services for Joe will be 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fillmore, with the Rev. Douglas Loecke officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Fillmore.

Joe was born Nov. 2, 1932, in Bernard, Iowa, son of Charles and Agnes (Smith) Mausser. He received his education at Sacred Heart School, Fillmore, and later acquired his GED.

On Oct. 26, 1957, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Martensen at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Garryowen. She preceded him in death Aug. 1, 2004. On Oct. 13, 2006, he was united in marriage to Nancy Hogan Pfab at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Central City.

Joe was employed with the John Deere Dubuque works and Moline works for 27 years. He later worked in the maintenance assembly department at Walmart.

He enjoyed woodworking, weaving, quilting and biking. He had participated in RAGBRAI since 2001. He was an avid and awesome golfer and was especially proud of his hole-in-one.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Parish in Prairieburg, a former member of Sacred Heart in Fillmore and a member of the Cascade Knights of Columbus Council 930.

Joe and Betty were executive directors of the marriage encounter program for 20 years. Joe was also very involved in the Monticello Farmers Market.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Mausser of Monticello; five sons, Ted (Deb) Mausser of Bernard, Marty (Jean) Mausser of Cascade, Ken (Jeanette) Mausser of Bernard, Justin (Amanda) Mausser of Medelia, Minn., and Dean (Kathy) Mausser of Holy Cross; six stepchildren, Zac (Chris) Chwirka of Sioux City, Mitch Pfab of Manchester, Duane (Sonja) Pfab of Alburnett, Karen Pfab (friend, Roy Valgroi) of Des Moines, Margaret Pfab of Chicago and Adam Alden of Mount Vernon; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren; and in-laws, Benny (Bernice) Martensen of Dubuque, Sister Rose Marie Martensen RSM of Cedar Rapids, Morgan (Ruth) Martensen of Hazel Green, Wis., and Madonna Beck of Davenport.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Albert and Frances Mausser; and two sisters-in-law, Katie Mausser and Sister Mary Martensen.

A Joseph C. Mausser Memorial Fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.

The family would like to thank the Monticello Emergency Medical Services, ICU staff, palliative care team, and hospice team of Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids.

Published Nov. 10, 2013 in The Gazette