Funeral services for John E. Lauer of rural Alden will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Russell Scepaniak will officiate. Interment will be in St. Theodore Cemetery. Friends may visit with family one hour before services at the church. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family.

John died peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016, at his home. He was 88.

He was born May 27, 1928, in Kouts, Indiana, the son of Frank and Rose Mary (Rudolph) Lauer.

John graduated from Kouts High School. He was united in marriage to Janet Wahl on Jan. 24, 1953, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kouts. They lived, farmed and raised their family in Indiana.

John had been very active in the Kouts community and at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

He had also worked at Bethlehem Steele in Burns Harbor, Indiana. In 1976 they moved to Iowa near Osage, leading him back to farming, which he so loved. Ten years ago John and Janet moved to the Alden area to be near their daughter, Martha, and family. Strong in faith, John was hardworking and willing to do anything for anybody — no questions.

He will be greatly missed by his family: his wife of 63 years, Janet; children Theresa (Bill) Hefron of Garden City, Michigan, Mary (George) Layton of Millerville, Maryland, John (Katherine) Lauer of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Susan (Bruce) Olson of Lamberton, Donna Nellis of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Rita (Terry) Reder of Vaparaiso, Indiana, Martha (Jeff) Mulholland of Alden and Mark (Niki) Lauer of Littleton, Colorado; 19 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Charles (Buddy) Lauer; sisters; and Mary Lauer, Ruth Traub and Frances Falvey.

The twinkle in his eye, as he pulled yet another little prank, will never be forgotten.

Blessed be his memory.