Soon to be eighty-six on May 23, 2007, Maurice managed to captivate the hearts of all his acquaintances by his love for life, family, and friends. Maurice the son of Gilbert and Mabel Spies, was born on the Spies family farm, outside of Cumberland, Iowa on May 23, 1921. With his parents and sister, Patty, Maurice lived in Lewis, Iowa and Atlantic, Iowa during his childhood before settling down in Shenandoah. Maurice was a graduate of Shenandoah High School.
Maurice married Mildred Greenwalt from Shenandoah in 1941. After working in sales for a while, Maurice was asked to go to work in his father-in-law's electrical business. In 1958 he bought the business and changed the name to Spies Electric. Maurice owned Spies Electric for many years and then he became maintenance supervisor for Earl May Seed and Nursery Company and Mount Arbor Nurseries.
Maurice and Mildred centered their lives around their children, Jerry of Independence, MO, and Sharon of West Des Moines, IA; their grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as other family members and friends. Many special moments were spent square dancing and going to "Big Band" concerts, boating with friends and camping in the Rockies with family.
Maurice was involved in many community services and dedications. He served as a Shenandoah volunteer fireman for 27 years, was a member of the Shenandoah City Council for four terms, and was Mayor pro-tem, for two years, and was on the Shenandoah Hospital Board; also a member of Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. 1122 for many years and served as Exalted Ruler in 1966-67 and 1975-76. He was an active member of the Odd Fellows Lodge; President of Southwest Iowa Mutual Aid in 1982 and 1985; and a longtime member of the Shenandoah First Congregational Church.
Maurice enjoyed a wide range of interests......amateur radio, or ham radio; hunting and fishing; and summer-time grilling. Once Maurice tried to rotisserie an entire block of bologna, but after several hours discovered that only the surface of the meat would cook. The family had cold bologna sandwiches for many days thereafter. Maurice loved woodworking and building projects for the family. One of his first endeavors, building a wood fence at the end of his driveway, was short-lived when son, Jerry, plowed it down when he was fist learning to drive! Maurice loved peanuts in his Coca-Cola, folded wood rulers, pocket watches and knives, and making others smile! Maurice was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Whether it was sharing priceless moments with Mildred, going to baseball games with Jerry, listening to Sharon sing or play his favorite songs on the piano, or having the enjoyment of watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up, Maurice was a special man to his family. Unspoiled by the changing times, Maurice had a love for simple pleasures, working in his garage building bird houses, reading a good book about carpentry, watching a baseball game on television, or bird watching out his picture window.A memorial is being established. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah.