Maurice Jakob LaRue was born August 13, 1947, at Mason City, IA, to Roudolph "Larry" Leo and Naomi Mae (Kerlin) LaRue. He was the child of a military family and they lived in many places during his childhood.

Maury graduated from high school in Mandan, ND. He was active in scouting and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He received an associates of
arts degree from Bismarck State College and a bachelors of science in education from the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks.

He married Denise (Lundberg) at Mandan, ND, on May 25, 1967. The couple moved to Sturgis, SD, in 1969 where Maury taught at Sturgis Brown High School. During his career in education, Maury taught World History, Speech, Government, English Literature and vocational broadcasting. He coached debate, track and cross country.

While teaching, Maury and his friend, Tom Monahan, started T&M Photography Studio. He was also elected to the South Dakota Legislature. He was the projects director for Sturgis Economic Development and served as the Mayor of Sturgis.

His many interests included restoring his old Jeep, flyfishing, hunting, model trains, grandkids, traveling and golf. He was an enthusiastic follower of track and field of all levels.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and a qualified instructor for the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department.

Maury, 64, Sturgis, died Saturday, July 28, 2012, at the Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Survivors include his wife, Denise LaRue, Sturgis; daughters, Carole (Joel) Skalsky, Pelican Rapids, MN, and Teresa (James) Forbes, Sturgis; brothers, Michel (Pam) LaRue, Chicago, IL, Marty (Cheryl) LaRue, Vancouver, WA, and Monty LaRue, Seattle, WA; sister, Ann LaRue, Omaha, NE; and grandchildren, Nicolis, Lilith, Angus and Amika.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials have been established to the First Presbyterian Church and Miles 4 Moe.

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