Doris Mae Mauer

Doris Mae Mauer, age 89, died Monday, December 4, 2023 at New Aldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Doris was born November 8, 1934, in LeMars, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer and Mildred (Wells) VanderHamm. She graduated from Ireton High School. She obtained her teaching certification from Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) before receiving a BA from Morningside College in Sioux City. She achieved a master’s degree from Clark College in Dubuque, Iowa. On December 30, 1956, she was united in marriage to Virgil E. Mauer in Ireton, Iowa. Doris worked in the Cedar Falls Community Schools for over 40 years, mostly as a sixth grade teacher at Southdale Elementary School. As an educator, she was involved in many professional activities including serving as a professor at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She was recognized as teacher of the year in 1978, 1988 and 1994. Doris was recognized by the State of Iowa Education Association with its highest award in 1993. In the Cedar Falls community Doris was active in many civic projects, receiving awards of merit and recognition from the Unted Way, CFEA, Public Library, World’s Window, and Sartori Hospital. In 1997 and 2014 Doris was recognized with the State of Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award. Doris was a longtime member of College Hill Lutheran Church, serving on many committees. For the Cedar Falls Woman’s Club, she served in several offices, including President. Doris is survived by her two sons, Vincent (Kimberly) Mauer of Cincinnati, OH, and Steven (Julie) Mauer of Overland Park, KS; grandchildren: Stephanie, David (Emma), Laurie, Julia, and Nicholas Mauer, her brother, David (Shirley) VanderHamm of Remsen Iowa, and sister, Lois Ann Barbour of Granbury, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Virgil E. Mauer, on September 15, 2011. Funeral services will be 11am Thursday, December 28, 2023, at College Hill Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be from 4-6pm Wednesday, December 27, at Richardson Funeral Service, with a gathering of friends and family at the Cedar Falls Woman’s Club immediately after Visitation. Interment will be at Wall Lake Cemetery in Wall Lake Iowa on Friday, December 29, at 11am. Memorials may be directed to College Hill Lutheran Church or the Cedar Falls Woman’s Club.

Doris Mae Mauer

November 8, 1934 - December 4, 2023