Roland Lauer

Roland D. Lauer, 87, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Visitation will be held from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16th at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. that afternoon. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 17th at 10:00 a.m. at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Kathy Moore and Rev. Sue Cubbage officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wesley Chapel Church or the Henry County 4-H Leadership Scholarship. Born October 13, 1926, in Marion Township of rural Mt. Pleasant, IA, Roland Dale was the son of Gilbert Desmond and Dorothy Frances (Miller) Lauer. After graduating in 1944 from Pleasant Lawn High School, he became a lifelong farmer, working with his father, his son and later his grandson. On June 5, 1949 at Beulah Church he married the love of his life, Helen R. Martin. In his younger years Roland loved playing sports, particularly baseball. He also served as a leader for the Champion Clippers 4-H Club. Roland loved the outdoors, especially pheasant hunting and fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada. He enjoyed John Deere equipment and became quite an enthusiast over the 70 years of farming. As a dedicated community member, he served as treasurer for the Rural Fire Fighters Association and was a long time member of the Prairie Ag Cooperative. He served in all capacities as a lifetime member of Wesley Chapel Church, where he was baptized. In his later years he loved watching sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. Also, as an avid gardener, he raised incredible sweet corn and ripe red tomatoes. Survivors include his wife, Helen of Mt. Pleasant, IA; a daughter, Donna (William) Stradt of Bettendorf, IA; four grandchildren, Ryan (Sarah) Lauer, Renee (Todd) Smith, Martin (Kristen) Stradt and Adam Stradt; and six great grandchildren, Hayden and Talan Stradt, Jackson and Benson Lauer, and Tessa and Dalton Smith. Also surviving is a sister, Lois Palmer of Lee's Summit, MO. Roland was preceded in death by his parents and by a son, Roger Lauer.