Leslie Ralph Lauer,89, of West Union, Iowa was called home by our heavenly Father on Wednesday morning, February 10, 2021 at his home in West Union. Born May 26, 1931 at the family home near Eldorado, to Peter and Hulda (Trapp) Lauer, the youngest of four children. Leslie was baptized at St. Peter’s Lutheran, Eldorado on June 14, 1931 and was confirmed at St. Peter’s on May 20, 1945. He graduated from high school in West Union in 1948 and the summer of 1948 he started a custom baling, trucking, and harvesting business.
Leslie was united in marriage on November 16, 1952 with Frances Wolfs at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa. Five children were born to this union. In 1955 Leslie and Frances purchased their first bulldozer and the excavating work was added to the business, which is still operated as a family business today. Leslie’s favorite pastime was visiting with friends and customers as he spent time at the shop in West Union. Leslie and Frances were charter members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Union, which began services in 1987.
Family left to celebrate Leslie’s memory include his wife of sixty-eight years, Frances; his five sons, Randy and his wife Connie, Ron and his wife Marie, Terry and his wife Shari, Larry and his wife Kris and Ferlin, all of West Union; his grandchildren, Christopher and his wife Jill, Katie and her husband Steve Lueder, Lindsey and her husband Greg Boyer, Joseph and Jacob Lauer; great grandchildren, Garrett, Levi, Seth, and Laci Lauer, Reagan and Ryleigh Lueder, and Evelyn Boyer; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Helen Wingler; sister-in-law, Karla Wolfs, and his nieces and nephews.
Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Hulda; his in-laws, Leo and Irene Wolfs; brothers, Ralph and Clair; sister, Arlene; brothers-in-law, Ben Granby, Lewis Wolfs and Almer Gulsvig; sister-in-law, Mardella Lauer; his grandson, Daniel Lauer; and a nephew Daniel Wingler.
Casket bearers will be his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Friday, February 12, 2021 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa. There will also be a one-hour visitation before services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa with Pastor Rusty Phillips as the officiant.
Burial will take place at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Eldorado, Iowa Immediately following the service.
There will be a luncheon after the burial at Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.