Richard “Shorty” Lauer of South Haven died Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. He was 82. 
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in St. Augusta with Fr. Matthew Crane as Celebrant. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the church.
Richard Valentine Lauer was born March 15, 1939, at home in rural St. Cloud to Edward and Alvina (Gau) Lauer. Shorty attended country school. On June 14, 1960, he was united in marriage to Sharon Rosha at St. Mary Help of Christians in St. Augusta. Soon after they built their home, Shorty was drafted into the United States Army. While serving, he and Sharon were stationed in Texas. Upon his discharge, they returned home to rural St. Cloud. They moved to a farm in Fair Haven Township in 1968. For more than 30 years, Shorty worked as a union carpenter in addition to farming. He eventually stopped working construction, but continued to do what he truly loved: farming. He raised crops as well as beef and hogs. Shorty enjoyed attending various community events such as auctions and church dinners. He seemed to know someone no matter where he went. Shorty’s pride and joy were his six grandchildren; he and his late wife Sharon treasured the time they were able to spend with them.
Shorty was preceded in death by his wife Sharon; parents; and siblings Margie, Elmer, Vera, Bebe and Eugene.
He is survived by his sons Joel (and Susan) Lauer of Clearwater, and Todd (and Jennifer) of Iron, Minn.; grandchildren Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Emma, Abigail and Benjamin; and other family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, or to the Kidney Foundation. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Kimball.