Maurice Friedrichs

Maurice Friedrichs, 73, of Marysville, KS, passed away on October 10, 2024, at Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation in Blue Rapids, KS.

A visitation was held on Sunday, October 13, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville.

A funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Monday, October 14, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Marysville.  Rev. Philip Miller officiated.  Kathy Pralle played the organ while the congregation sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", "Rock of Ages" and "Amazing Grace."

Pallbearers were Allen Friedrichs, Brian Friedrichs, Clint Friedrichs, Heath Griswold, Justin Springer and Michael Shirk. 

Honorary pallbearers were Brady Shirk, Jim Bruna, Lynn Bargmann, Brad Schram, Dennis Minge, Doug Minge and Ron Goeckel.

Burial followed in the Hanover Cemetery, Hanover, KS. 

Maurice was born on September 5, 1951, in Odell, NE to Leonard and Elda (Holle) Friedrichs. In 1969 he graduated from Marysville High School. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bremen, KS.

On December 18, 1993, Maurice was united in marriage to Susan Springer at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Maurice was a lifelong farmer and started by helping on the family farm and continued to partner with his brother Clair until the end. They had a cow-calf operation, farrowed hogs for a time and harvested wheat, corn beans and milo through the years.

He helped his family in the DeKalb seed business and worked for over 40 years as the maintainer operator for Herkimer township. In 2003, he began driving a school bus route for USD 364 and enjoyed driving activity routes to football games and track meets for over 10 years.

Maurice was involved in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, serving many years as finance secretary at Immanuel. He transferred to Mt. Calvary Lutheran where he served as a trustee and a member of the Herkimer Cemetery Board. He helped as an assistant Boy Scout leader when his son Jacob was involved with scouts. 

In his earlier years, he enjoyed playing slow-pitch softball for the Bremen Brewers, as well as fast-pitch softball and town team basketball. Tuesday night was dart night, playing darts in the Bremen Dart league as a member of the original team representing Bremen. He always looked forward to the summers when he helped design original and crazy floats for the Days of ’49 as a member of the famed Bremen Crew.

Family time was special for Maurice, whether it be Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or any holiday, usually at his parents house until their family outgrew it. They often gathered around Elda’s kitchen table for cinnamon rolls, rhubarb dessert and sometimes summer sausage sandwiches on homemade bread. The festivities were then moved to Immanuel Lutheran parish hall.

Playing softball, cards at the “Well”, fishing and camping were all favorite things. He loved planning road trips and antiquing. Short vacations to neighboring states were also enjoyed by all involved even though they couldn’t go too far away from the farm. Most of all, Maurice loved decorating for Christmas and tried to come up with something new each year. Inside was his Christmas village, nativities and of course the Christmas tree. Outside he had numerous decorations to help light up the neighborhood. Secretly he enjoyed when small children would see him and asked their mom if he was Santa Claus.

Preceding him in death were his parents; infant sister, Linda; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Judy Springer; and brother-in-law, Doug Springer. 

Survivors include his wife, Susan; son Jacob (Jessica) Friedrichs; brothers, Clair (Barb) Friedrichs, Lyle (Marilyn) Friedrichs and Lyndon (Deb) Friedrichs; sisters, Sherilyn (Scott) Griswold and Eva (Darrell) Cook; and sister-in-law, Nancy Springer; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary.