Clara ‘Connie’ T. Maurer, age 91 of Big Lake MN passed away quietly in her sleep on January 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Connie, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Loch) Donnay was born on October 27, 1934, in Main Prairie Township, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Joseph Sr; two sons, Kenneth Joseph Jr (Amy) and Charles Patrick (Nita); and grandchildren Cassy Lynn and Dale. She is survived by her two daughters, Diana Lea (Jay Crashell) and Elizabeth Ann Miller (Richard); five sons, Gerald Jacob (Margaret), Michael John (Carolyn), Bruce Alfred, David Allen (Debra), William Charles (Catherine); as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Her family and her dogs were her greatest joys, and she loved to spend time with them. She also loved to travel across the country in her camper with her two dogs.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday January 22nd, 2026, at St Anthony Catholic Church in Watkins, the same church where she was baptized and married. The rosary will be said at 10:30. A lunch will be served after the mass. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ertl Funeral Home in Watkins with a 6:00 p.m. prayer service. Interment will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic cemetery at a later date. The service will be live streamed at www.ertlfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), or the Poor Clare Monastery in St. Paul, MN.
