Maurice (Gene) Ferdinand Sauer

Maurice (Gene) Ferdinand Sauer

MAURICE (Gene) Ferdinand Sauer, 83, of Knik passed away peacefully with loving family at his side on April 27, 2022 in Murrieta CA.

Born in May of 1938 in Buckman, Minnesota to Alfred Sr. and Rose, he grew up on a farm and left home at 15 to work on ranches in N. Dakota and Montana before joining the Air Force in 1956. As an aircraft mechanic he served on bases in the U.S., Japan and the Philippines. At Norton AFB, CA he met and married his loving wife of 55 years, Gerri. In 1984, they made Alaska their home and were members of Sacred Heart Church in Wasilla.

While in California he was a machinist at Santa Fe Railway and in Alaska he was a mechanic at the power plant at Fort Richardson, retiring from civil service there. After federal retirement, he worked at the recycling center (VCRS) in Palmer for several years.

Gene and Gerri enjoyed road trips exploring Alaska and the Lower 48. A generous man with his time and efforts, he volunteered at his church, the Bishop’s Attic, recycling center, and WASI senior center. He could fix nearly anything and was a “tinkerer” with the most organized garage. He enjoyed making humorous and unique gifts for family and playing cribbage with any willing opponent.

He was known as “the Quarter Man” by several bank tellers in the Valley as he was a collector of bicentennial quarters. He was loved by all for his humor and endless jokes; his great smile was most often accompanied by a mischievous grin and a twinkle in his eye.

Gene is predeceased by his beloved wife, Geraldine; his parents; siblings; Alice, Louene, Elizabeth, Marianne, Virginia, Alfred Jr., Greg; and in-laws Shari and Vic. He is survived by children, Michael (Heather) of Murrieta, Annette (Keith) of Colorado, Gina Sauer of Knik, and Bob of California; Siblings, Maxine Skiba and Gilbert (Debbie); grandchildren, Matthew, Jonathon, Benjamen, and Emma; Stevie (Boris) Terry, Calen (Nicolle) Linebaugh, Jonas (Isela) Linebaugh, and Krystal (Christopher) Thisse; Chance (Andee), Chevy, and BlueSky Sauer; and Heather (Matt) Bynum, Shane (Laurel) Foley, and Nicole Foley; as well as 20 great-grandchildren, many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Services in California will be at 11 a.m. on May 26, 2022 at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, 24000 Waalew Rd. Apple Valley, CA 92307. Services in Alaska are pending.

“Just carry on when I’m gone.” ~Gene