Maurice E Manz

In Loving Memory of a Life Well-Lived

Maurice E. Manz was born February 6, 1934 to Eli H. and Madge M. (Smith) Manz. He joined his big sister, Ruth. He lived on a farm in the Green Mountain area until he was twelve years-old, then the family moved to the farm Northeast of Albion where he lived until moving to the Iowa Veterans Home in 2019.

Maurice passed away September 7, 2024 surrounded by family.

He met his “sweety, “ Darlene Bratland in high school. She was dating his best friend and persistence paid off when the boyfriend went off to the navy, they broke up and he had his chance to ask her out! When he was drafted into the Army, he left her his 1954 baby blue Ford Fairlane with a Continental scoop to “protect his interest.” After basic training he served in Honor Guard in Hawaii for 13 months, he was honorably discharged. He then came home and they were married at the Little Brown Church on November 22, 1958 as his strategy paid off. They’ve been inseparable since.

Maurice and Darlene raised their children Jana and Barry on their farm. Maurice farmed for many years, trucked and retired from Rosen’s in Marshalltown in 1996. In retirement, he helped Kevin Lynk seasonally. He loved driving the Peterbilt 352 Cab Over and having his CDL until he was 84!

He instilled in his children a strong work ethic and if you are “on time, you are ten minutes late.” He also taught them to learn how to push mow, drive tractor, ride a lawn mower and take care of the livestock the right way at a young age. They also had to fill fuel tanks without spilling. Maurice wanted a neat, well-kept farmstead and home. He was strict yet fair. He would say “you don’t have to be rich to have good manners.”

Maurice had a strong faith in Jesus and believed actions speak MUCH louder than words. He was quick to help others and a “man of his word.” He always had a farm dog, too and made sure it was well-taken care of.

Some of his hobbies included working on antique tractors (especially John Deere), traveling to Arizona with Darlene to see his cousins, attending many cattle and horse shows to support his granddaughters in their younger years. He also attended several of Jaclyne and Jeanna’s public speaking events and their college graduations as education was important to him since he didn’t get the opportunity to attend college. He loved following college basketball for all Iowa schools and reading World War II history. Maurice also attended many plays, musicals and kept up with sporting events of grandson, Anthoneih.

Music was a big part of Maurice’s life, especially in his youth. He sang with four different quartets with some of the same members and always sang tenor. One of the quartets provided old-fashioned Gospel music at many area churches in the 1950s. When in high school, his group won first in the state four times and he won first in the state with a solo. The Blackwood Brothers and Kingsmen Quartet were some of his favorite groups along with the Statler Brothers. He also sang in many weddings and at funerals.

Maurice enjoyed playing the coronet, too for a few years in the community band. In his 80s, he mentored his grandson – Anthoneih – playing the piano. He would say there were “no excuses for not practicing.”

Even though Maurice’s parents wanted him to continue his music lessons with an Iowa State University professor; he said “I’m a country boy” and had no desire to do so.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Darlene, daughter, Jana Manz Hamlett (husband, Matt) and son, Barry Manz (wife, Laura Haugen). He is also survived by his grandchildren; Jaclyne (husband, Stacy), Jeanna (husband, Craig), Ezra and Anthoneih. Great-grandchildren: Ryder Spence, Eden Heller and Daphne Spence. Also, numerous special nieces, nephews and cousins (you know who you are).

He is reunited with his parents, mother and father-in-law Valborg and Tjerand “Charles” Bratland; sister and brother-in-law, Ruth (Dale) Sommerlot; sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws; Valtina Bratland, Thomas Bratland, Edward Bratland (Margaret), Conrad Bratland, Clara Brown (Lyle), Cora Campbell (Pete), and Oscar Bratland. He also joins his step-mother, Aliene.

Additionally, he will be reunited with his best friends Bob, Frank, Jim and Curt.

We would like to give a special thanks for the wonderful care and extra support from the Iowa Veterans Home employees. A wonderful group.

Per his wishes, no public visitation or funeral is being planned. A private, immediate family graveside service will be held at a later date. However, condolences and special memories of Maurice may be shared with the family and memorials (no flowers, please) in care of the Manz family may be mailed to Mitchell Family Funeral at 1209 Iowa Ave W, Marshalltown, IA 50158.