Maurice Calvin Krauskopf

Maurice C. Krauskopf, age 80, of Decorah, IA, died Monday, January 30, 2006 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah following a long illness. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 2, 2006 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah by Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen and Rev. H.G. Engebretsen, with burial in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Friends may call on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Thursday after 10:00 AM at the Church. Maurice Calvin Krauskopf was born June 13, 1925 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of Albert and Elsie (Turflinger) Krauskopf. He graduated from New Haven (Indiana) High School with the Class of 1943. Maurice was united in marriage to Norma A. Phillips on December 30, 1948 in Fort Wayne. To this union, two children were born: Myron and Carolyn. Maurice and Norma farmed in Fort Wayne and while there, he attended adult agriculture classes taught by former US Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz. In 1958, they relocated to Dike, Grundy County, Iowa. While in Dike, he was the first farmer in the area to own a combine with a corn head and was the recipient of a Master Corn Grower award in 1966 for his outstanding corn yield. Maurice also served as a member of the Grundy County election board. The couple moved to Glenwood Township, Winneshiek County in 1970 and farmed there until moving into Decorah in 1991. Maurice began driving for Hawkeye Stages in 1974 and became full time in 1976. During his driving career he visited nearly every state, retiring in 1998. His memberships include First Lutheran Church in Decorah, and the Great Lights Masonic Lodge #181 of Decorah. He was a former member of Glenwood Lutheran Church and Fredsville Lutheran Church of rural Dike. Maurice was also Past Master of Honor Masonic Lodge #646 in Dike. He passed on his love of the soil to his children and grandchildren. Maurice had a great sense of humor and loved reading poetry and restoring antique tractors. Maurice became a resident of the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah on December 30, 2005. Survivors include his wife, Norma of Decorah; a son, Myron (Judi) Krauskopf of Decorah; a daughter, Carolyn (Delbert) Ball of Hay Springs, NE.; five grandchildren, Kent (Dianna) Orr of Grand Island, NE, Kurt (Denise) Krauskopf of Decorah, Kory Orr of Hay Springs, NE, Kelli (Richard) Martin of Lubbock, TX, Kelly (Jason) Beagle of Booker, TX; two great grandchildren, Kolin and Kasey Krauskopf. Maurice was preceded in death by his parents.