Rusty Mauer, age 56 of Lake View, IA, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at his home in Lake View. Russell John Mauer was born on August 13, 1966, at Loring Hospital in Sac City, IA, to parents Carl and Janet (Campbell) Mauer. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sac City where he was baptized and confirmed. Rusty attended Sac City Elementary School and graduated from Sac City High School with the Class of 1985. Throughout his youth he was involved in almost every sport, being an all-star in many of them. He was an especially talented baseball player and played quarterback for the football team. After graduating high school, Rusty attended trade school in Ida Grove for carpentry. He then moved to Florida and worked in the construction business for a few years before returning home to work for the family business, Mauer Tiling & Construction. After several years working for the family business, Rusty started his own construction business. In 2004 he started trucking for Farner-Bocken as a route driver and continued to work there until his health no longer allowed.

Rusty loved being on the water and was an exceptional skier. The family had a lake house in Lake View which meant every summer was spent on the lake. He was a member of the local ski club that put on shows at both Black Hawk Lake and in Storm Lake annually. He taught a lot of people how to ski in his lifetime and loved every minute of it. He was also an avid snowmobiler. As much as he liked the water and even the beach, he always talked about how he’d never want to live in Florida again because above all, he loved the snow. He belonged to the Sac County Snow Lover’s Club and was always on top of keeping the trails groomed. Rusty also liked bird hunting, especially pheasants, turkeys, and ducks. He loved the outdoors and took several trips to different states and even up into Canada to snowmobile. He rode dirt bikes and raced hobby stock cars. He always enjoyed attending the Super Nationals in Boone, IA, every year.

In his spare time, Rusty enjoyed watching college sports, especially Iowa Football. He liked watching NASCAR races and was a #24 Jeff Gordon fan through and through. He was a perfectionist in all that he did whether it was keeping his cars clean or working on a project. Whatever it was he was doing, rest assured it would get done and be done in the finest way. He listened to eighties and nineties rock and some country and always enjoyed a nice cold Bacardi and Coke.

Of all the things he did and loved during his time here on earth, Rusty’s biggest love was his family which included his dogs- Holly, Sammie and Izzy, who were always on the go alongside him in the truck. Rusty married Jeanette Gonnerman which made him a father to Mitchell, Stephenie, and Christopher. A role he gladly accepted. The couple would later be blessed with a son, Preston, who quickly became Rusty’s whole world. He was very involved in Preston’s activities and volunteer coached most of his youth sports. He was for sure his son’s biggest fan. Once Preston was older he was involved in weight lifting and together the family made trips to support him to Nashville, TN, Michigan, and even Atlanta, GA.

Rusty made many unforgettable, fun memories with his family and friends alike. Those memories will be what hold him in their hearts forever. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his children, Preston Mauer of Lake View, IA, Mitchell (Sara) Gonnerman of Lake View, IA, Stephenie Gonnerman of Wall Lake, IA, and Christopher Gonnerman of Wall Lake, IA; father Carl (Kathy) Mauer of Auburn, IA; sister Lisa (Lynn) Mohr of Lake View, IA; brother Marty (Lori) Mauer of Lake View, IA; nieces and nephews: Nicole (Adam) Loux of Indianola, IA, Kayla (Steve) Jacobs of Prole, IA, Ashley (Austin) Trueblood of Winchester, OH, Nick (Hayley) Mauer of Lake View, IA, and Heidi (Wade) Handlos of Adel, IA; his beloved dogs Max and Diamond and grandpop, Morty; several other extended family members and friends.

Rusty was preceded in death by his mother, Janet Mauer; paternal grandparents Martin and Velma Mauer; and maternal grandparents Russell and Clara “Dolly” Campbell.