Ernest “Ernie” Lauer of Pine City passed away at his home Monday, April 18, 2016 at the age of 89.
Ernest Herbert Lauer was born on August 13, 1926 to Louis and Clara (Whiting) Lauer in St. Paul, MN. He was raised on the family farm 9 miles east of Pine City, where he attended school through 8th grade. During WWII, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 and was honorably discharged in August 1947. That fall, while roller skating in Grantsburg, WI., he met Arlene Nelson, his wife of 67 years.
Ernie was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad for 13 years before going to work for Land-O-Lakes in Pine City until he retired in 1988.
When Ernie was not at work, he rarely sat still. He was a carpenter, building the home he lived in for 64 years, a handyman who could do his own plumbing or wiring, work on a car or a tractor and fix most things that needed fixing. He enjoyed gardening and playing farm with his John Deere B tractor. He was a skillful fisherman who tied his own jigs, but next to his family, his love was hunting deer which he did right up through last fall.
Ernie is survived by his children Ronald (Ellen) Lauer of Rush City, Janet (Ron) Christenson of Waconia, Steven (Carol) Lauer of Edina, 8 grandchildren Christopher (Lesley) Lauer, Heather (Allen) Sauerbrey, Allison (Rob) Barmann, Michael (Tera) Lauer, Amber Christenson, Brett (Marissa) Lauer, Wyatt Lauer, Samira Lauer and Kris Moulton, 19 great-grandchildren, brother William (Marlene) Lauer of Ischpiming, Michigan, sister Bernice Murphy of Ogilvie, brothers-in-law Miles Stockdill of Pine City and Alden (Marian) Nelson of Oakdale, sisters-in-law Mildred Lauer of Monticello, Donnis (Gene) Benson of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife Arlene Lauer, parents Louis and Clara Lauer, sister Viola Stockdill and brother Delbert Lauer.
Reverend Marion Rova will officate funeral services for Ernie: 11:00 AM Friday, April 22, 2016 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Pine City. A time of visitation is planned for Thursday from 5-7 PM at Swanson Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church. Music will be provided by Cindy Novy and Glenna Reierson. Casket Bearers will include his 8 grandchildren. Interment will take place at Birchwood Cemetery, Pine City, Minnesota.
Memorials are preferred to: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Funeral arrangements for Ernest Lauer of Pine City are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service ~ Swanson Chapel, Pine City, Minnesota. www.funeralandcremationservice.com