"Dear Martha, I am so sorry for your loss. Maury was a gentle man and a constantly friendly face at the Ames Fitness Center. I could always count on Maury to share "his lane" with me as I paddled along. He was extremely proud of his family, and of you, Martha. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you."
In loving memory of
Maurice Lee "Maury" Geist
January 14, 1926 - March 22, 2013
Maurice Lee (Maury) Geist, 87, of Ames, died Friday morning at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.
Maury was born on January 14, 1926, in Shenandoah, Iowa, to Lee and Bertha Geist. He graduated from Red Oak High School. He attended Drake University on a football scholarship, and upon returning from military service, continued his education and football career at Northwest Missouri State University. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps. On December 21, 1947, Maury married Martha Lewis in Clarinda, Iowa.
As a young man, Maury excelled in sports including football, swimming, basketball, and track and field. In 1990, he was inducted into the Red Oak High School Sports Hall of Fame. He taught and coached in Corning, Red Oak, Mount Ayr, and Creston, Iowa, before joining the Iowa State University Department of Admissions. As an Admissions officer, he traveled throughout the state of Iowa, visiting with prospective high school and junior college students.
Geist was a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational in Ames, the American School Counselor Association, and he was a life member of the BPOE Elks.
Maury is survived by his wife, Martha, of 65 years, children Kirk (Pauline) Geist of Gilbert, Kathryn (Brian) Breamer of Mason City, and Susan (Ed) Jones of Ames. He enjoyed spending precious time with his six granddaughters Sarah Fox Jones, Kristen Geist, Kelly Geist, Rachel Jones, Andrea Breamer, and Stephanie Breamer, and his great-granddaughter Molly Fox. He is also survived by one brother, Gene (Deloris) Geist of Red Oak, their children, and grandchildren.
Visitation with family and friends will be from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, March 24, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at United Church of Christ Congregational, 6th and Kellogg, in Ames at 1 pm on Monday, March 25.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Christ Congregational or the Ames Public Library.
On line condolences may be directed to: wwwgrandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"I have fond mememories of Maury as I played basketball for him in Mr. Ayr in the 50's."
"Maury was our best neighbor and friend when we lived next door on Ferndale Ave. He taught our son Brian to swim in his backyard pool. He shared his secret chili recipe and put up with a howling beagle. He was a great man and we are proud to have known him. Our condolences and prayers are with Martha and the Geist family."
"Sorry to hear about Maury. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. I have a lot of respect for him and loved to hear his laugh. "
" I've never forgotten the kindness given and trust Maury placed with me, as my first "real" boss some forty some years ago in the ISU Admissions Office. I send my sympathy to his family and friends."
"Martha and all of Maury's family,
I read the obituary in todays Register, and I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. My memories of the two of you as a couple are so very positive. I give thanks to God for more than 65 years you had together and I will pray for you, Martha, as you grieve the loss of your loving husband."