—   Francis Robert Dauer, 85, of rural New Ulm died Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at his home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2012 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm with Monsignor Douglas Grams celebrating the Mass.  Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

  Visitation will be 4 - 8 p.m. Thursday and from 7:30 until 10:30 a.m on Friday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. There will be a combined rosary by the Knights of Columbus and the St. Mary's Catholic United Council at 6:30 p.m. and a parish prayer service at 7:30 p.m. both Thursday at the funeral home. To sign the guest book or to leave an online condolence for the family go to www.mvfh.org.

  Francis Robert Dauer, the son of Otto and Helen (Kissel) Dauer was born on October 13, 1926 in the Madelia hospital. Francis was united in marriage to Veronica Sellner on June 2, 1953 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. The couple lived in Linden Township outside of Hanska for eight years. In 1960 they purchased a farm in Bernadotte Township and farmed it for 27 years where they raised 10 children.  Francis retired from farming in 1988 and they moved into a home he built with his son, Mark, on land purchased in 1985 in Nicollet County.

  Francis had a deep love for nature and the land. He was an early conservationist and organic farmer (22 years).  He had a deep commitment to the well being of farming and strong belief in the value of small family farms. He was an active member of the NFO (National Farmers Organization) for 16 years and a chairman of the NFO Dairy Board for eight years.

  Faith in God was his rock and solid foundation. He was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Searles (35 years), St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Lafayette (27 years), and St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm (23 years). He demonstrated his love of God and service to others by his involvement in teaching religious education, lecturing, singing in the choir, ushering, and being a sacristan. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Catholic United Council.

  Francis enjoyed being part of agriculture and working with the land. He raised a large garden each year and donated any surplus to the food shelf. He also enjoyed riding bike, playing harmonica, old time music, dancing, traveling, hiking, riding motorcycle, woodworking, singing, attending auctions, and tooling around in his John Deer Gator. He enjoyed spending time visiting with family and friends, sharing life stories, and he had a wonderful sense of humor.  Francis lived by the motto, "Hard work never hurt anyone." He loved God, his family and life.

  Francis is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Veronica Dauer of New Ulm; brother, Fred Dauer of Springfield; sister, Dory Schreiner of Fairfax; children, Jean Marie (Michael) Gauna of Washington, Pennsylvania, Joan (Tony) Munsch of Buda, Texas; Mark Dauer of New Ulm, MaDonna (David) Sellner of Sleepy Eye, MaLinda (LaDon) Henderson of Mankato, Karen (Michael) Leeb of Kasota, Allen (Nancy) Dauer of Lafayette, Denise (David) Nelson of Coopersville, Michigan, Michelle (Greg) Budach of Janesville, and Craig (Anne) Dauer of Prior Lake; 35 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Charles and Clarence Dauer; and his sisters, Lorine Dauer and Marie Fiedler.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the New Ulm Medical Center Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, or the New Ulm Area Food Shelf.



www.mvfh.org