The LDN Spring Home & Garden Magazine is dedicated to

Dr. Christopher L. Maurer

Dec. 10, 1976 – April 22, 2012

By the Youngquists

[May 30, 2012]  It was six years ago when Christopher Maurer came into our lives, and things would never be the same. Chris met our lovely daughter, Trisha Youngquist, at UIS as each was preparing to take up a new area of study and a different career. They wed in December 2009.

Together over the past few years, the couple tested their skills at home improvement and landscaping, turning a very plain old house and yard in Alton into a showcase home with lovely plantings surrounding it -- all on a student’s dime budget -- and the property sold quickly for a decent profit when it came time to return to Springfield.

The two young adults worked with enthusiasm together around his family’s 10-acre homestead in rural Springfield and tastefully redecorated one of its three levels to be their home.

The couple proved themselves to be consummate do-it-yourselfers in home remodeling and landscaping.

When Dr. Maurer completed his dental education in August 2011, he and Trisha began a new adventure, acquiring an older house near their home to renovate and set up as his dental practice.

From August through February, Chris oversaw and did much of the work himself, totally stripping the house of everything down to the studs, inside and out. Many of his friends and family stopped by to help, as well as to provide guidance and encouragement to him during that project.

Having served as his own general contractor, Chris was able to bring the project in considerably under budget and also saved time.

Throughout March, he and Trisha, with the help of a couple of siblings who are also dentists, worked tirelessly in setting up equipment and stocking the office. Amazingly, the practice was ready to open in early April.

Maurer Family Dental is entirely surrounded with all-new shrubs and flowers that were planted in January and that are now growing and in full bloom. The lovely tree-shaded lot was completed with new walks, paved parking lot and lighting. The inside is tastefully decorated, featuring warm, rural-themed artworks by George Colin of Salisbury.

Dr. Maurer was able to enjoy tremendous success in the few short weeks his office was open. The quickly established client base was a tribute to all his fine qualities as a friendly, caring person and practitioner.

He was where he loved best -- in the yard, doing what he loved most -- when his Maker unexpectedly called him home. He was in a grove of trees, keeping up the family property with a little trimming, with the one he loved most, his wife and life partner, Trisha.

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The house remade into a stunningly beautiful dental office is located on Springfield’s west side, on Bradfordton Road. The practice that was his dream is continuing and doing well through the efforts of family and friends.

We loved and admired this young man and all he had accomplished in his short 35 years.

We appreciate how he cared for our daughter and all his family and friends, and how they in turn have now cared for us as well.

In tribute to a truly gifted, fun-loving and lovable young man, Dr. Christopher L. Maurer,

The Youngquists

Visit the 2012 Spring Home & Garden Magazine for these great articles:

• A fresh coat of paint

• Marrying technology and decorating

• Lighting your interior

• Creating a cool breeze

• Weekend warrior takes on the bath

• Manicuring the lawn

• Happy trees

• New outdoor blooms and foliage

• Attracting butterflies to your yard