Gordon "Gordy" Maier

Gordon “Gordy” L. Maier, age 78, of Wyoming, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on September 18, 2019.  Gordy proudly served in USAF and worked at 934th Airlift Wing.  He is preceded in death by wife, Rita; son, Wayne; and sister, Eleanor Amundson.  Gordy is survived by his children, Karl (Katy), Traci (Rodney) Besch, Joleen (Tom) Thordson; grandchildren, Kasey (Tim) Morton,  Nicholas Maier, Josh and Garrett Besch, Erin and Ali Mae Thordson; sister, Jan (Lee) Miller; many nieces, nephews, and special friends. Funeral Services will be held at  10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 5879 Wyoming Trail, Wyoming. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Monday at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake and one hour prior to service at church on Tuesday. Interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials may be made out to Disabled Veteran’s Rest Camp, 11300 180th Street North, Marine on St. Croix, MN.

“To touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground.”                                                                                                 Stephen R.Covey

As our family grieves the loss of our father, grandfather, brother and brother-in-law, we rejoice in kind, knowing that Gordy is singing, “Kiss An Angel Good Morning,” by Charlie Pride, to his beautiful wife, Rita; while simultaneously turning a wrench on a car with his beloved son, Wayne.  Can’t you just picture this?  If you are reading this message of love, you too, have been touched by Gordy Maier and we will forever be blessed to walk on holy ground.  Gordy was an extremely loyal man.  He loved deeply.  His love for Rita was unconditional and he fought hard every day to keep her in his life.  When the heartbreaking time came to say good bye to their son, Wayne, Gordy’s big hands reached out to others as they grieved in their own way.  His love for our great country never waivered, even as he served across the world, including Vietnam with two tours of duty.  Touching souls along his path paved our holy ground.  One of Gordy’s favorite places to be was at his cabin, surrounded by his family.  We all remember his orders of, “Chores first, then fun.”  Of course, we didn’t necessarily obey that order.  We would all lose track of the day just being together on Lake Waukenabo.  Such a good thing, that Gordy had about 10 calendars hanging around to remind us.  Oh, and let’s not forget the numerous weather gadgets so we always knew the temperature, the wind direction and speed, and of course his expertise on when the lighting was cloud to cloud or cloud to ground.  Gordy had many nicknames, fondly given to him by those whom he knew.  “Kraut,” on account of his pride in his German heritage; “Pops,” on account of his children deciding this was the easiest name for them, and the numerous friends they had who Gordy treated like his kids; and “Grandpa Grump,” came from the grandchildren as they teased him when he seemed a little gruff or cranky.   Perhaps they didn’t recall that as a crying baby, we could set them on Grandpa Grumps shoulder as they would soon be sleeping.  He had such a special touch when it came to those babies!  However you knew Gordon Maier, or whatever name you called him by, wherever you met him for breakfast, lunch or dinner, we know your soul was touched in some way by him.  Cherish the memories you have of him and know you have walked on some holy ground.  And we are grateful to you for the love and care you gave him.

With love,

The Family of Gordon Maier