Fred Dauer Sr.

Fred Dauer Sr., 92, died on November 8, 2016, at his home in Springfield.

Visitation was held Sunday afternoon at Sturm Funeral Home and continued Monday at St. Raphael Catholic Church.

 Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 14, at St. Raphael Catholic Church with The Rev. Phil Schotzko officiating.  Interment was in St. Raphael Cemetery. 

Fred George Dauer was born April 3, 1924, in Madelia, Minnesota, to Otto and Helen (Kissel) Dauer. Fred served with the U.S. Army during World War II where he received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, the Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal - Japan. On October 6, 1948, Fred was united in marriage to Arline Fischer at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. The couple lived near Searles, and in 1959 moved to rural Springfield where they raised five children. Fred was a past member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Clements and a current member of St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springfield. He was also a member of the Hanska American Legion Post 365 for 63 years and Clements American Legion Post 519 for 26 years. Fred enjoyed farming, praying the rosary, driving around the countryside looking at the crops, reading the Farmer’s Almanac, reading the Legionnaire magazine, his many pets, gardening including fruit trees and raspberries. He especially loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a great steward of the land and acknowledged that the Lord was the giver of all. He left a legacy of faith, hope, love, conservatism, courage, and selflessness for those nearest to him. 

Fred is survived by his children, Fred Dauer Jr. of Springfield, Richard (Barb) Dauer of Springfield, Katie Dauer (John Olcott) of St. Paul, and Duane (Patricia) Dauer of Springfield; 19 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; sister Deloris Schreiner of Fairfax; son-in-law Ron Johnson of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; and caregivers Linda Fischer and Pat Ochs, both of Springfield. He was preceded in death by wife Arline, in 2011; daughter, Eileen Johnson; daughter-in-law Karen Dauer; great-granddaughter Taylor Lynn Anderson; sisters Marie Fiedler and Sister Mary Arnold; and brothers Clarence, Francis, and Charles Dauer.

Sturm Funeral Home was entrusted with funeral arrangements.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com