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Valentine Lauer Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Valentine Lauer
Claudette
October 3, 2024
We sure miss you Jay. You were an awesome husband to our sister Sandy.
See you in my next stage of life, Heaven!! Love you dearly
June
July 6, 2013
In preparation to moving back to Minnesota after 25 years I have been converting family videos that my father made over the years unto DVDs. Dad Thank you for preserving memories for all of us. Miss you.
June Lauer Broadhurst
April 17, 2013
Reading all these entries has brought back some many memories and I how much my Father is still loved to this day.
March 15, 2013
I just want to keep your memory alive this St Patricks day and extend a late valentine of love to my cousins and Lauer Family. So much time has passed and we have lost our family members. We will always have been engraved with the Love all of you have shared with us. Thank you Val for all the laughter we shared. An we will remember Las Vegas . A lot of fun! So your memory will continue in our hearts today and always! Carol
Lorraine Soldo
October 1, 2010
Remembering My Brother Val
Again the tree leaves have turned colors of yellow,orange and red.It was at that time you left forever.It brings back so many painful memories.It reminds me that soon the holidays will be here and you, Joey and Vi will not be here with us.I guess we never thought that this time would ever come.But when we said goodbye to you for the last time our hearts broke, knowing it would be a lonely world.There is an empty spot in
our world,we will always remember with love for You, Joey and Vi.We miss the many laughs and fun we had with the 3 of you.Clar and I often talk and always have something new to remember.
We will always keep you and our sisters alive in memory, until one day we will be together again.And we also remember how very lucky we were to have had all of you in our lives so many years.God is good.We know that you are at peace, with no more pain and for that we are thankful.This will be my last entry into your book Val as
the book is closing.But your memory will always be part of our lives,
until we are together again.We will
always miss,love and remember all of you.
Sisters Lorraine,Gen and Brother Clar
Lorraine Soldo
Chaska, Minn
Clarence Lauer
September 28, 2010
Winter of Life - Memories of Valentine & Mildred.
I have many wonderful memories of the joyful times we shared together to submit in both Valentine’s and Mildred's Legacy Guest Books. In six weeks it will be four years since Valentine left us to be with the Lord. I decided to submit another writing in both Valentine's & Mildred's Legacy Book before my brother, Valentine A. "JAY" Lauer’s Legacy Book is closed. I hope to see more entries submitted in Valentine's Guest Book which will be kept on line until it closes on 10/9/2010. If given the time I will submit more writings in Mildred's Guest Book before it closes. We know both Val and Mildred still love us from heaven above. They live in our hearts and in our lives. We know that time has a way of moving quickly and catching us unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, without a worry, when Val and I were growing up with the rest of our sisters and brothers at our dad’s and mother's home. Those were the years that I wrote about in Valentine's Legacy Book during the last four years since his death. It has seemed like eons ago and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all...and I have glimpses of how it was back then and of my dreams of the four Lauer boys serving in the U S Navy. Those dreams did come true and the four of us served in the Navy during World War II. I was 17 years old when I joined up to serve, but here it is, the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well, seeing older people like our mother and dad through the years passing away and thinking that those years were the sad years we had to look forward to. Then a number of years passed and the Lord called my older brothers, Willard, Arthur and younger sister, Josephine and my older sister Viola to his kingdom in heaven. The day, October 7, 2006, Valentine A. "JAY" passed away at the age of 81 years and 20 days. It was a sad day in my life to hear of Val's passing. I knew for a number of months his health was failing fast and cancer was going to shorten his last days of life. I was glad that my health was still OK so I could catch a plane and fly to Minnesota so I could visit my sister Josephine and attend her funeral. I was in Minnesota to be with Valentine and his family at his home in Maple Grove before he was taken to his home in heaven. I really miss my younger brother and have written often in his Legacy Guest Book of the memories I had with him when we were kids. I submitted many photos to enhance my entries and shared memories.
I could not fathom or imagine fully what it would be like those dreaded days when I lost my wife to cancer. Mildred Edna Lauer, whom I married in January 1945, passed away June 2, 2009. We did celebrate 66 years of a good marriage together before cancer took her life, just like it also took Val's life. But, here it is, I have memories of my wife when she started getting gray hair. She always looked forward to getting her hair colored in a beauty shop so she would stay looking beautiful. Mildred moved slower in her last few years and I could see an older woman in her then. I always thought she was in better shape than me, but I could see the great change. She was no longer the girl I married who was young and vibrant, but like me, her age was beginning to show and we became one of those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. I had seen the same change taking place with Valentine the last number of years when I'd make a yearly trip from Jacksonville to visit with him in Minnesota or when he would come to spend a short vacation with me in Florida. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! Walking now days reminds me I'm ageing fast. And taking a nap is not a treat anymore, it's mandatory! Because if I don't on my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit! And so now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains, the loss of strength and ability to go and do things like I used to be able to do. But, at least I know, that though the winter has come and I'm not sure how long it will last. This I know, that when it's over, it's over, yes I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done, things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime. I'd like to remind my readers that it will be here faster than they think, so, whatever they would like to accomplish in their life, please do it quickly! Life goes by quickly, so, do what you can today because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life, so live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember. “'Life is a gift to you”. The way you live your life is your gift to those who came after, make it a fantastic one. Live it well.
After Valentine died, I recorded (a DVD disk) "A Life Remembered ", in loving memory of Valentine A. "Jay" Lauer. I wrote in the Legacy Book after making the recording that I would mail a copy of the DVD to any family member or friend that wanted one in remembrance of Valentine. I made it as a gift to honor Valentine. On the disk, I recorded pictures of Val, starting the recording with a picture taken when Valentine was a baby at only two weeks old and his Certificate of Baptism with a picture included. There are also pictures of the Catholic Church and grade school that he and all the Lauer children attended, pictures of our dad’s and mother's homestead in St. Cloud, MN, a picture of Val when he was 5 years old takened with brother Clarence, who was two years older than brother Val. That time in our lifes, many more pictures were recorded that were taken of Val and Clar together at a young age. There was a picture of Lorraine taken by her daughter, Lisa, in front of the St. Anthony School, many pictures taken of Val wearing his Navy uniform while he was home on boot leave, some pictures taken with his sister Gen and Stan and pictures taken of his brother, Arthur. Among the pictures are many taken with his mother and dad and more with his two brothers, Art and me (Clarence), photos of our oldest brother, Willard, who spent three and a half years in a Japanese concentration camp during WW II. Willard was a P.O.W. captured on Corridor located in the South Pacific. There are pictures taken with sisters Viola and Joey, pictures of Val and his first wife Henrietta, group pictures of their wedding party in St. Cloud, a picture of Val and Henrietta with newborn son, Jim and more pictures of other precious children as they came along in Val’s and Henrietta's family. There are pictures of Val's brothers, Willard and Clarence taken in Memphis TN while Willard was still in the Navy. There are pictures of the carrier Kula Gulf that Val served on during the war & the Navy aircraft he loved. There are pictures of Val and Sandra taken the day of their wedding at the Medicine Lake home, many pictures taken with family group at that wedding, some taken with lake front in back ground, more memorable pictures of Val and Sandy's camper and Sandy's 40th birthday cake. It was a very large cake celebrating Sandy’s birthday. There was a picture of the fishing house Val built to stay warm in when he'd get a chance to go fishing and catch fish in the winter on frozen Medicine Lake. Val later converted it to a play house for their daughter, Shannon, lots of pictures taken of the back yard at their home in Maple Grove, MN. Valentine converted the back yard into something more beautiful than words can express. He had made it beautiful putting in water falls, streams and pools useing lots of stone work while converting the yards for his and Sandy's retirement enjoyment. There are some great recording made on video camera film that were converted onto the DVD disk, recordings of Valentine and Sandy's 25 wedding celebration with multiple guests in the the celebrating party that was held at the Maple Grove home. There are the last pictures recorded on the disk taken of Val and Sandy, pictures taken after Val became ill and was confined to a hospital bed at their home in the care of Hospice. A number of pictures of Val's kids are in the recordings, taken during his final days. There is a recording on the disk taken at the funeral mass of Valentine's daughter Suzanne’s tribute in honor of her dad. The recording on the disk ends with the military funeral service at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN, Valentine's final resting place. Also included on the disk is the recording of the Taps salute, the folding of the American flag as it was presented to Sandra, three hymns are recorded at end of video recordings and a full write up on the story about Taps so you understand its beginning and end. The last hymn with the beautiful music at the end of the recording is Amazing Grace with all the words in sentences being sang in the hymn floating up into the sky with the lovely scenery of the sunset with the music playing during the hymn.
This entry is long but I just had to compose Valentine and Mildred a final goodbye before their legacy books are closed. We will meet again to be together forever, no more heartaches or tears, the chain will link again to never be broken with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With all my love a brother and husband.
Yvonne Angus
March 15, 2010
It was a great honor getting to meet Val's son and daughter-in-law, as well as his and Bill's (Clarence) sister, Genevieve. Plus I got to see Lorraine again! I have been fortunate to have been included in the Lauer family, and it is a gift I will always treasure. I was fortunate to have met Val and had occasion to spend time with him when he came here on visits to his brother Bill. He was a lovely gentleman, with a spark of humor in his eyes, which transferred quite naturally to his mouth! It was very easy to picture his as Bill's little brother, because he was so very much like his older brother. I wish I had known him longer. I hope that on his visit, Jim had a chance to see just how much his dad was loved, and not just by immediate family. It seems the whole Lauer family has that effect on people! Love you all.
Lindsay Abraham
March 11, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lVZI0KfaRA
A link to Grandpa Valentine's "don't worry, be happy, smile!" video. Online for all to enjoy.
Love always, Deb's daughter Lindsay
Jim Lauer
November 12, 2009
Last month my wife Margaret and I traveled to Jacksonville, FL. to visit my uncle Clarence and his kids. It was great to see him (it had been three years), and my five cousins who I had not seen in decades. Clarence looked great, and I recognized all of his kids. To add frosting to the cake, Clarence's sisters Lorraine and Gen were also there. We had a fantastic party at Dianne's home. Margaret and I had never eaten so many oysters in our life!
It was something special to have my Dad's three siblings all together at the same party, which I will always remember.
Clarence Lauer
November 11, 2009
In Loving Memory of both Valentine A. "Jay " Lauer & Mildred E. Lauer
I’ll enter my writing this time in both of their legacy books as my heart is filled with wonderful memories of joyful times we shared together. Months and years go by and those memories that I write about always seem to bring me comfort. I sometimes watch video tape recordings to refresh happenings in their lives. Tape recordings at Valentine's home in years gone by show memorable parties and lots of the party fun. I remember one party which was recorded on Veteran’s Day or it could have been the 4th of July when the four Lauer brothers (all Veterans) were together celebrating America and the Joy of Freedom. Valentine, Arthur and Willard will be in my memory this Veteran’s Day with gratitude just like my departed wife will be on my mind. I'll be remembering how much Mildred always meant to me and our children. Mildred filled my world and our children's world with so much love and those memories we'll never forget. We spent so many wonderful times together. As of November the seventh, it has been three years since Valentine left us to be with the Lord and it has been three months (June 2, 2009) since Mildred also went to be with the Lord. Valentine's oldest son, Jim sponsored the legacy book these last three years. Many friends & family, besides me, has made entries in Valentine's legacy book during those last three years. Valentine's youngest daughter June is sponsoring another year so the legacy book will be available to write or create a lasting legacy honoring Valentine A. 'Jay" Lauer. The Printed Guest Book will hold beautiful thoughts shared by friends and loved ones. My beautiful wife's legacy book will also be available to entry writing honoring her legacy. I'm very happy to inform friends and family that the pages in her legacy book now have many beautiful entries written on those pages. As tomorrows continue to start without my brother Valentine and my beautiful wife Mildred, I realize that they are not here to laugh, love and share many things. Memories are still fresh and those memories will give me the strength I need to enter writings in their books, I miss both of them so very much. What I worry about the most is my serious memory issues. I forget important things, like birthdays and anniversaries. I can't always remember names or phone numbers to save my life. I always had my beautiful wife Mildred, before she died, to remember those things for me. One of the sweetest things Mildred did each year was to write notes on the calendar to remind her of special events. The notes that she wrote on the yearly calendar will be a big help to me. Those important dates like birthdays, anniversaries, etc. she wrote in the pages on the date squares the month they fall on. Mildred kept all the old calendars for the last five years and I will write those same notes in the future on the main calendar that I will have hanging on the kitchen cabinet in our house. I am so proud that she now has passed another special gift on to me.
Valentine's oldest son Jim and his wife honored my family and me with a visit, flying down from Minnesota to be with us a few days on October the 22. 2009, it was great seeing them again. My two sisters, Genevieve and Lorraine also were here in Jacksonville the same week. It was so good to have them all here so we could enjoy with them a fun party with a gathering of families at Diane's home. We had lots of good food to enjoy while all of us were visiting. Nancy, my youngest daughter, drove up the weekend from Port St. Lucie, Florida. She was so happy to be with our family to enjoy a visit with her aunts, Genevieve from Wisconsin, Lorraine from Minnesota, and her cousin, Jim and his lovely wife also from Minnesota. My visitors enjoyed seeing my home and the improvements that my boys and I made the last year inside my house. They also saw the beautiful photos of Mildred that hang on the wall in the bedroom and the photos placed in other rooms in the house. I usually say “Hello Honey” to those photos each morning when I dress to get ready for another day of missing my cheerful and beautiful wife, Mildred that was with me so many years. There seems to be an eerie silence in the rooms I have her pictures in. In the pictures, Mildred seems to be looking at me as I move around the room. I can't help but talk to her in the photos daily, sometimes out loud and sometimes silently if only to say “I love you Honey”. It's hard being alone with my thoughts but just saying “Good Morning” to her in the picture seems to get me started for the day.
I greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from family and friends. I feel so blessed to have my children always near which helps me cope with living without their mother. Mildred always took on the chores, doing the daily tasks it takes a housewife to do inside a family home. It broke my heart the day God called my devoted wife home to her seat in heaven, peacefully surrounded by her mother, her dad, her sisters and brothers. I hope Valentine and Mildred are watching over me. It reminds us we can make our lives sublimed. Mildred’s and Valentine’s departing leaves behind footprints on the sands of time. I will write in the legacy books to share memories of what my children's mother has meant to them. She taught them to respect and never forget the Lauer family members from the North as well as the South. I myself hope I never will.
In Loving Memory, Bill / Clarence
Lorraine Soldo
October 2, 2009
In Loving Memory of Valentine A. Lauer
This writing is In memory of my brother Val and two of my sisters, Joey and Viola. Three years have passed since you Val and Joey have left us. Then our sister Viola, We miss you'll more than you could ever know, it has been a struggle to adjust to not seeing your loving, caring smiling faces. As we celebrate your memory and spirt it will remain in our hearts forever. It has been over a year already since the Lord called sister Viola to His side, yet it seems like just yesterday that we were blessed with your smiles, your wit, and most of all, with your love. You'll will never be forgotten by me or my children, who sorely miss your counsel and guidance over the years, Time is supposed to heal all wounds but really it only lessens the pain to the point where it is just bearable so that those left behind can pick up the pieces and resume living, Even though life without you'll in it seems unworthy, living life to the fullest was the story of your life Val and I cannot be disloyal to your legacy. This will be the last time that I will be writting for your legacy, only because the book will be closed this month. It's been Three years since you Valentine and sister Josephine left us. Time stood still that day and nothing has been the same. Holidays pass and now they are very different. The phone rings and for one brief moment my thoughts go to you, Joey and Viola. It's then I remember that you'll will never call again. Clar and I keep your memories alive by remembering the happy days,when all of us were together. We laugh at the many things that the three of you did to intertain us, their were so many. But when the laughter stops, that dull pain returns. Your family and friends have missed your smiles and your laughter just like I have so very much. You will always be in our hearts and our thoughts. We all Love You Very Much, You'll were the joy of our hearts and A part of us went with you'll the day the Lord took each of you. The pain in our hearts, the loneliness that we feel, the tears that we shed will one day be over when we are in Heaven. Knowing until then with the Lords help we know that day we will be together again. Until that day we will miss all of you and you'll will always be remembered, With loving memories
Sisters Lorraine, Gen and Brother Clar
Jim Lauer
September 18, 2009
Yesterday, Sept. 17th, was my father's birthday. My wife, Margaret, also has her birthday on the same day. Not only do I get to celebrate her birthday, but in a way I still celebrate my father's birthday. He was a great father to all of us kids. We miss him so much. Happy Birthday Dad!
Clarence Lauer
September 15, 2009
Loving memory of Valentine A. "Jay " Lauer
Each year for Valentine I pull many memories from my memory bank to write in the legacy book. There aren’t many days that he is not thought of by this brother, our sister Lorraine and I'm sure our sister Genevieve. I still feel Valentine's presence with me some nights during my sleep and when I wake up the next morning I try to recall the dream that he was in. Those dreams usually were enjoyable happening during our lifetime. Time it seems will never heal the pain of missing the phone calls Valentine always made or the emails he'd sent, keeping me updated on happenings in the families from our home state. Knowing God has Jay with him is my only comfort and someday we'll all be together again. Valentine's at peace now since joining the angels just like our two older brothers, Willard and Arthur and our two sisters, Viola and Josephine. Thinking of Valentine today gives me great pleasure especially when those thoughts are about the many things we did together during our childhood days. Our Dad and Mother raised us through the Great Depression, relied on humility and resourcefulness to overcome a far worse economy than we face today. Those were hard times and there aren't many elders still around who weathered the worst of them during the Great Depression that gripped the world from 1929 to 1939. I was born in 1923, Valentine born in 1925. We can say we were poor but really didn't know it because we were happy kids and never wanted for food, clothing or shelter, however humble. On their land, our Dad & Mother grew vegetables and fruits, raised chickens, a few pigs each year for meats and two cows for milk. Most of our clothing was homemade or handed down to the next youngest. Our Dad, with help, built a big house on his five acres of land located just outside the city limits of St. Cloud, MN. The family social life centered around St. Anthony’s Parish, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and St. Elizabeth’s Catholic School. I remember our mother and her women friends from the school and church gathering in our home to make quilts together, usually during the cold winter months. Our Dad was a blacksmith by trade and a stone cutter. He was disabled in the late 30's and unable to work at his trade so for many years our mother had to work at different jobs in the town of St. Cloud to make money to pay the household bills. Valentine and I as teenagers found many small jobs to make money which we gave to our parents to help with the household bills. In addition to these jobs, we also helped with the daily chores around the house. When the Lauer kids lived at home, they all worked wherever they could to make money then gave most of what was made to Mother or Dad to help pay the family expenses. When the boys reached age 17, we all left home and WW II found the four Lauer boys all serving in the U S Navy. We'd send allotments home to help our parents. After the war the Lauer children married and moved from our parent’s home town to raise our own families. The following years we were spread out all over the world but all the Lauer family returned to our parent’s home for family reunions. I myself moved from Minnesota to Florida where I worked for many years on Navy aircraft in civil service for the U S Navy. Valentine, after he got out of the Navy, moved to MPLS, MN and raised his family there in the cities working at a variety of jobs. Later Valentine started a business that he called Snow White Dipper & Linen Business which he worked until his separation from his first wife. Then Valentine married again and started new companies where he worked hard all of his life until cancer disabled him. He passed away at the age of 82 years. After Valentine's passing, his oldest son, Jim, started this legacy book and over the last few years I've written many entries in this book. I’ve written stories covering the memories I have of him over the years. This year I will end my writing in Valentine's Legacy Book as my memory writing will be in my wife Mildred E. Lauer’s Legacy Book. There are many stories I hope to write for her legacy. I'm sure the readers of Valentine's Legacy Book all heard that his sister-in-law, my beloved wife was taken in death on June 2, 2009 due to cancer. I'm finding it's just too sad and hard for me to write in both books. Each of us who knew Val will remember how he touched us individually and how he changed each of our lives for the better. Valentine will be on my mind and in my heart until the last breath that my body takes. He was like I've always said the best brother, best friend and important person in my life by the way he was. Having no other choice than to move on without his physical presence, there is no other way than to be thankful unto God for allowing Valentine into our lives for wonderful and unforgettable years. My brother Valentine has been and will always be deeply missed. When God made Valentine he must have thrown the pattern away for he was one of a kind and through my thoughts and memories lives on forever just like my departed wife of 66 years, Mildred E. “Pitts” Lauer will live on in my memories of our life together. I will be writing about and sharing those memories in her legacy book.
Remembering Valentine with love, Brother Clarence and my family
Mr Lauer with his five Children
September 15, 2009
Jim Lauer
July 28, 2009
On July 16, 2009 the house my Dad lived in since 1993 in Maple Grove, Minnesota, was sold. A single fellow with a young daughter bought the house from Sandy. He loved the backyard landscaping my Dad designed and built, with the fountain, dance floor, flowers, and much more. Sandy did a lot of light work getting the house ready for sale, such as painting inside, holding garage sales, and planting more flowers. The place looked great and was move-in ready for the new owner.
Clarence Lauer
July 26, 2009
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Valentine A. "Jay" Lauer
Gone from our sight but not our memories, gone from our lives but not our hearts. Thanks for the good times.
We miss you Valentine and we all loved you so much. Our lives have never been the same in so many ways since October 7, 2006 as so much in my life has changed since the Lord took you brother Valentine,our sisters Viola and Josephine Safely home in Heaven, Sadly for us, this year God sent his angels to take my beautiful wife, Mildred to Heaven on June 2, 2009. I will write about Mildred in your Legacy Book in the future. Time is not measured by the years that you'll lived but by the joy that all four of you brought and the love that you all gave. Valentine, Mildred, Viola and Josephine we miss your loving spirit and smile. All four of You are forever in our hearts and memories. It has been a long time since your loving hearts stopped beating & those beautiful smiles faded away. Yes we hold onto precious memories , They are in our hearts to stay. You were a wonderful brother Valentine that brings to mind so many thoughts since our child-hood days and the years there after. The years I'd travel from my home to our parents home and the opportunity to spend time with your children, family and friends. We cherish the time we all spent together. As a loving and caring brother, you did your part with your dedication of hard work, family values and leadership to make us welcomed. Memories of you will always be in our hearts, Our vacation planed trips coming to Minnesota was like a Holiday and I enjoy thinking about those days and our old friends those days in the past. Every now and then I'll drink a toast of kind remembrance for days when we were growing up together. They say memories are golden, well maybe that's true I don't know about others, but I could use more days like them. It's difficult to hold on to a sense of well-being nowadays. But I've learned to counter my dark rummations with deliberate thoughts of the good things. That's why I've been thinking a lot about our families lately. I should write about advice given to me for coping with a turbulent world of sadness mailed to me in a poem. It was wrote like this, consider a hillside patchwork of flowers, that lived there long before I was born on a raining night. The writing reminded me to see how the flowers wake without a question even though the world is burning since time began, just like acts of kindness, knowing they cannot quench the flames. That reminds me Valentine, my wife Mildred and our sisters live in my heart like a lovely song or mummer of a breeze. A sweet blossom's fragrance drifting from the trees. I can feel the cares whenever there is laughter. I can hear they're here morning and evening day after day. Sweet memories of them in my mind still play. The joy we shared has turned to pain but someday we'll be together again and love will substain me while we are apart. A life well lived is like a light so beautiful and rare that every one in the glow is blessed because it's there. Death leaves a heart ache no one can heal. Love also leaves a memory no one can steal. Loving thoughts find comfort knowing you're all at peace, Lonesome brother, Clarence
Jim Lauer
May 31, 2009
My Dad would be proud of his daughter Shannon, who last month moved into a group home, living with three other women. Sandy looked long and hard to find a good place for Shannon to live, and she found a good home. It is a house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and plenty of room to watch TV or play games. There is a large yard, with a nice deck overlooking a pond. Shannon is doing very well, getting along with everyone, and taking care of herself. She lives only 15 minutes from Sandy, Margaret & Jim, Mark & Scott, so it is convenient to visit her.
Clarence Lauer
May 28, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you my brothers; Willard, Valentine and Arthur. Since you are joined with other family members that have passed on, we give all of you tribute for your service in the Military.
Memorial Day thought & Prayers
May 28, 2009
Clarence Lauer
May 25, 2009
Memorial Day 2009 - Less we forget
Clarence Lauer
May 17, 2009
In Loving Memory of Valentine A. "Jay" Lauer, It's been two years eight months, but it seems like yesterday you slipped right out of our lives. This third year without you Jay has been just as difficult for us as the first. Valentine would know I would long to hear his joyous laugh, and shake his hand again. Isn't it typical, I took him for granted for so long and only when Valentine took his leave of us did I realize my deep love for him. Our lives are forever changed as we knew it, we are so Blessed we got to share our many wonderful memories with him. We will treasure each and every moment, always. It broke our hearts to lose you Jay, but you did not go alone part of us went with you, The day God called you home. Our lives have been altered since you left, but we feel your sweet, sweet spirit always. Your work on earth was well done as a brother and friend. So many times you kept us all laughing and on our toes waiting for your next practical joke, There are so many friends, acquaintances and family members who recall the kind gentleman you were to them as well. What an honor! You were known to many and admired by even more. I Miss You!!!! The hurt is there, still there, always there, in spite of my moving on, getting along, working through. Grieving, you see , lasts a lifetime. Yes, the hard, unrelenting pain of the beginning softens. And yes, a loved one's permanent absence becomes as much a part of one's life as his presence. And yes, too, I've learned to live with the bittersweet memories, the should-haves and could-haves, all those frustrated wishes for second chances. But the pain does not so much lessen as it evolves, from the stinging, sharp agony of the early months to a dullness that settles in under the heart, familiar but not welcome. It is a dullness that transforms itself too quickly, too unexpectedly, a dullness that threatens. Polished by certain events that I've written about in the legacy book, it can become as momentarily blinding - as stinging and sharp - as the first shock of Valentines death. Sooner or later you learn what events polish the pain, learn to recognize the words that elicit the sorrow. And then you are ready. And then you brace yourself. And then... and then... it is as punishing as you remember, anyway. For me, it's not the bad times that are difficult. In trying moments, friends and family rally and I rise to the occasion. But the happy moments are hard. My brother, the uncle of my children, is not here to share them with me. Valentine was a special person who touched our lives, he will be with us forever, like a handprint on our hearts. A mark can never be chiseled away. that remains with us forever. A gift without measure that leaves a lasting impression. I will never forget the brother we loved but could not keep. Now Valentine you are resting high on that mountain by the Lord's side. We'll see you in heaven our dear sweet brother. We all say Good-BYE! YOU WILL BE MISSED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN. Love, your brother Clarence, sister-in-law Mildred, sisters Lorraine and Genevieve
C.W.Lauer wth a smile blue western hat
April 8, 2009
Clarence Lauer
April 8, 2009
In Loving memory of Valentine A. "Jay" Lauer and one of his best friends, LaVern Thielman, who was well known by Jay Lauer's family and their friends who were at the Mass of Christian Burial at the church of St. Joseph the Worker on Wednesday & Thursday, October11, and 12, 2006 had the opportunity to meet with and hear some World War II stories told in their honor. Both of them served in the U.S. Navy and shared many days together which I wrote about in the legacy book. We'd drink a toast of kind remembrance for those who served remembering days now in the past for our Veterans. On this day only a few days before Easter Sunday LaVern Thielman's daughter, Mary, in an email wrote "It is with great sadness that I report to you today that Vern Thielman passed away very unexpectedly on Friday, April 3rd, and his funeral is today". I will remember Vern and his family in daily prayers. Mary wrote she is not sure she will ever recover from this happening. I truly understand the pain & shock of her losing her Dad and the sadness she and the family are going through these last few days. Even now I can understand her loss is still hard to accept knowing Vern's departure to a more peaceful place was so sudden & unexpected. Mary and her families friends are coping and she will continue to think about her Dad, LaVern, daily. I'm sure most of you have read the many entries in the Legacy book for my brother Valentine A. "Jay" Lauer that I submitted and know how I felt losing a loved one who was so close to me his or her entire lifetime. Today that saddening feeling has again been felt as I read the email message that my dear friend Vern had passed away. It was a big shock that covered my entire body with that saddened feeling. I know Vern loved my brother Valentine. I just wanted Vern's daughter to know my brother brought up his name in many conversations we would have in talking about LaVern & other friends of Jay's & mine from our home town St. Cloud, Minnesota. I emailed Mary to thank her for telling me she will forever be grateful to Val for being her Dad's best friend. Reading that comment tells me her Dad had told her much about my brother, his children & the Lauer families in Minnesota and Florida. Most probably told stories about his friend I'd love to hear. I'm sure Valentine's spirit welcomed his friend now with him in Heaven. I will miss not having Mary's Dad, LaVern, to receive my emailing. I'm quite sure that Mary had sent some of those mailings to me from her computer and I hope I will continue receiving mail from the Thielman computer. I understand when time has stolen away our stars and only the night endures, somewhere in the darkness my hand will still seek for those who have become a part of you. They live on forever in memories shared and I'll always want someone like a dear friend in my memories. We'd climb the highest mountain to get to where part of the family "Val and Vern " are, but they're high in Heaven and we just can't reach that far. The day they left our world stood still, our souls cried out in pain, If we could just have had more time with them and heard them call our names. For now we must remind ourselves, since the day we had to part, that every little part of them is wrapped around our hearts. There are no words adequate enough to describe the love and adoration that we will always have for "Vern" and my brother "Valentine". Their love, care and sacrifices they made for us & our country when they fought in World War II & during their Navy service will never be forgotten. We praise and thank God for their witness and the example they set as a Man, Father, Dad, Uncle and friend. They were the epitome of strong manhood and we are better because of them. There is no doubt that they loved us in ways that are too numerous to count and the fruit of their love will live on in each of us for all eternity. I will not forget the sadness reading again Mary's email message which read. "This is Vern's daughter, Mary, It is with great sadness that I report to you today that Dad passed away very unexpectedly on Friday, April 3rd. His funeral is today". "Please remember him and his family in your daily prayers, I am not sure I will ever recover from this happening. He loved your brother, Valentine. I will forever be grateful to Val for being Dad's best friend!". I, Valentine's brother, asked Mary to mail me a photo or a few pictures of Vern that I could enter in the legacy book when I submit a story as I get around to type one about Val and some of his friends that I last saw during my brother's wake or the day of his funeral. I asked in an email to Vern in one of my writings after I started submitting stories in the legacy book if he'd submit a story or something,however, he never got around to submit a writing. I always felt with him seeing Valentine over the many years we were teenagers and afterwards he'd be able to write some of the things that I would have loved to of heard. Now it'll be up to Mary, LaVern's daughter, to gather up the notes Vern may have started to write about in those stories she might know. A tribute to her caring heart and her willingness to have her Dad, Vern, and my brother, Valentine, remembered in the writing which I would be able to submit in the legacy book for those who have the below link available to read the entries. Subject: Legacy link for Valentine's Legacy
> http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=GB000019519676
Thoughts and memories live on forever, With all our love. Clarence
Jim Lauer
April 3, 2009
Recently I was in the town of Waverly, MN. and stopped at the All American to have a bite to eat. The first thing one sees as the entrance door is opened is my Dad's Statue of Liberty standing tall and greeting everyone. The Statue of Liberty was moved from my Dad's back yard to the restaurant about a year ago. It has a good home.
Clarence Lauer
April 1, 2009
In Loving Memory of Valentine A. "Jay" Lauer I'll write today, A Loving Celebration, The Reflection of One's Journey. Read this story. Or else, sit back and watch the story die, then scratch your head and have not a clue how the world got this way. A story needs two things to live: mouths to tell it and ears to hear. For longer than I can remember I've kept my brother Valentine's name remembered in stories I've written in the legacy book the best way I know to honor him. It would be special to me if some of the family or among his friends would also take the time to write. A funeral is more than just saying goodbye to a loved one. It is a look back at their journey, the lives they touched and a celebration of their life. In my last story I wrote it was over two and a half years that brother Valentine went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus. We will never forget all the joy he brought into our lives. We miss his smile so very much and will cling to the precious memories he left for us. Valentine had a way most of the time of making people smile and giving every one loving attention. He had a way of listening with an open heart to what they wanted to say. He had a way of making our family times memorable and fun when he would have a family party. May this be a day that is woven and spun of happiness and memories. A day that invites you to linger awhile recalling warm moments that will make your heart smile. I will always have room like a thought of Valentine that I can talk about. If friends listen with their heart, they can always hear a song though the ones we love may leave life as we know it. The love we knew will always be in our heart. It's sometimes hard to find the words to say how much. I hope my readers know somehow just what our hearts would say. If anyone deserves a day that makes a happy heart we'd know that someone. On a quick review I don't think that I have done anything more important than writing about it. We're conditioned to think our lives revolve around great moments. Great moments often catch us unaware beautifully wrapped in what others consider a small one. People may not remember what we did or said, but they will always remember how you made them feel. This illustrates so well how a small act of kindness may make all the difference in the world for someone. Valentine was a good brother to me & our sisters and I'd add a good friend. Time enriched our friendship and friendship enriches life. We always had been friends since our childhood days and with passing time that friendship had become a treasure for me. Valentine had given me so much joy. It sure would have been different if he wouldn't have been in my life. That's why now a days I want his friends to know how much he meant to me, how lucky I felt to have a brother and friend like Valentine. He gave me so much joy so often the years I traveled to Minnesota to be around him in many ways. In sharing other people's joys, In special ways of giving love in everything he'd do it was a priceless gift to this brother. I've always remembered and through my sister's Lorraine & Genevieve thoughts and memories I must say he lives on forever. With all our love. Clarence
Clarence Lauer
March 13, 2009
Writing today in Loving Memory of Valentine A. "Jay" Lauer. Looking at the calendar it was 2 years 6 months since my brother Valentine's departure to a more peaceful place. The loss of Val is still hard to accept. Our family, his family and friends are still coping and continue to think about him. Time passes, distance separates, but this brother, Clarence, is here with my family in Florida to remember him as do his sons, daughters, granddaughters, daughter-in-law, sisters, sister-in-law, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family all bless our life! Those of us who knew Jay will remember how he touched each of our lives for the better. Many years ago when I decided to make my home in Florida, so my wife, Mildred, could be closer to her family it was then I made a pledge to return once or twice a year to be around my side of the Lauer family. Our children as they were born would get to know them & visa versa. For the following 60 years I lived up to that pledge and our children as they were born made the trips with us until later on in their lives one by one they dropped out of those vacations. The school years kept them from making those long trips with me. Our children always looked forward to making those trips after I purchased a pop up camper and we'd stop at campsights along the way to Minnesota and on our return trips to our home in Florida. One place our children have never forgotten was when we'd come into Minnesota we'd never fail to stop at the home of Valentine and his first wife, Henrietta, and stay over there a night & day before traveling on to St. Cloud to spend time with Mother & Dad for a number of days. During those free days it gave us the opportunity to visit most of our relatives so aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews & cousins would also get to meet the Lauer kids from Florida. Those were the days when all of Joe V. Lauer's children would drive up from the states where they were living with their children to be there for the family reunions held at the big home most every year. Valentine would drive up to be with me every chance he got to get away from his businesses and we'd catch up on some of the fun things we did during our teens. After I no longer drove every trip and started boarding flights it was Valentine who would for many years meet me at the airport and drive us around during my stays. I will never forget those most enjoyable days to be with him and his second wife, Sandy. They always treated me as a V.I.P. leaving me with many of the memories I have written in the Legacy Book. In life we loved him dearly In death we love Val still In our hearts he holds a special place no one else could ever fill. 'Til we meet again. Your big brother, Clarence
Joe V. Lauer & Bertha Orth Wedding Day
Clarence Lauer
February 4, 2009
Writing in Memory of Valentine A. Lauer and his Dad is a happy time thinking of you both every chance I get.
Joseph Valentine Lauer was born in Long Prairie, Minnesota Febuary 2 1883 . Every year on the day of Febuary 2 the Lauer Children have always remembered their Dads birthday. Valentine A. "Jay " would drive up to St. Cloud to place flowers on Dad and Mothers Grave. Our Dad would be 126 years of age today. What a great thought, his memory is very dear to my two sisters Genevieve & Lorraine and myself, We are the last living Children of our Dad's family. Dad married our Mother Bertha Elizabeth Orth, she was born March 2nd 1893 in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Dad & Mother married the 8th of September 1915 in Spring Hills, Minnesota. Our Dad died April, 2nd, 1962 in St. Cloud, Minnesota & our Mother died January 24, 1989 in St. Cloud , Minnesota. I Think About Them Often. As we travel through life, we often meet ordinary people who have a profound effect on our lives, And when those people pass on, it always seems to leave a void in our heart's that can not be filled. Through out our days little things happens that passed on back into our minds... it might be something as insignificant as a conversation or it could be something as important as a special day we've had a privilege to share with them, the ones we love are forever with us. What ever our reason for keeping the ones we love in mind and heart. Dad, Mother,Valentine's brothers Willard, Arthur, our Sisters Viola, Josephine & Joseph Jr. who died in infancy. They have not left our memory & they will never be foregotten by those whose lives they touched so deeply. We will love and cherish you. With fondest memories and love, Forever! Your Family & Brother, Clarence
Certificate of Baptism Valentine Alexander Lauer
January 18, 2009
Clar,VAL, Lorraine & Joey on front row Viola, Gen, Joseph & Bertha Lauer on R.H. side Arthur & Willard Top back row left Frances Orth in center her daughter Tbriggs on her left
January 14, 2009
January 13, 2009
Picture taken of baby V.A.Lauer
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
January 13, 2009
Photo of Valentine A. Lauer two months old
bottom half of baptisamal certificate
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
January 13, 2009
bottom half of baptism certificate for V. a. Lauer
Valentine Alexander Lauer top half of baptisamal certificate
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
January 13, 2009
Valentine Alexander Lauer Top half of Baptisamal certificate
Valentine A. Lauer two months old
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
January 13, 2009
In Loving Memory Of My Brother, Valentine, My Best Friend. Our earthly lives together meant so much to me. If I could gather all the smiles, laughs, memories and pride that he brought me throughout the years and give them back to him I would. Perhaps in that way friends could understand what it meant to have a brother like him and why I call him my friend. Val was one of the most important persons in the world to me from our childhood days and in future years. Valentine and I were like two peas in a pod and we did many things together over the span of 80 years. In my writings I talk about my brother Valentine our parents and siblings. Occasionally I will enter pictures in the legacy guest book and they will tell their own story. It's been said a picture is worth a thousand words. Writing stories about Val is the best gift I can give him in the legacy book for his children and mine, so they will have memories getting to know part of his life. I am going to tell you in this story that I can visualize our Mom and Dad looking at their baby son they named Valentine smiling that same grateful smile they had when their other children were born and were baptized.. Not until now did I realize it's depth. In this writing I will submit pictures of the Baptismal certificate that I had my sister Lorraine get me from St. Anthony's Catholic Church located in St.Cloud, Minnesota to submit in Valentine's legacy book. I will always remember that Valentine A Lauer's picture in the photo being submitted was taken when he was two months old. Valentine's beginning started when he was the fastest and most victorius little sperm out of millions that I can now write about. Not until I was thinking about that moment while writing this story did I realize it's depth or underestimate the power of our actions like including a photo of Valentine taken the first year of his birth. With one small gesture it has changed what's written in Valentine's legacy. The baby picture of Valentine was in a box of pictures our mother had in her home. The Lauer family members were dividing up the pictures for memories while looking at pictures after our Mother passed away. On the backside of the picture I'm submitting with this writing our Uncle Leo Lauer had written Valentine's name, the date he took the snapshot and noted, Val was two months old.. The note which I typed "A picture is worth a thousand words". I'm very proud now to submit the baby picture of brother Val in the lagacy book with more pictures in the future taken during his & my childhood days. God puts us in each others lives to impact one another in some way. You can pass this memory on to your friends or act like it didn't touch your heart. 'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly". Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift I can show my friends how much I care when I write an entry in Val's legacy book I believe this will be read and enjoyed by everyone we consider a friend. Reading the writings from Val's family or his friends it's then I'll know Valentine left us with wonderful memories and we cherish them every day. To know that Val is with the Lord brings us peace, but Valentine will always be here in our hearts. Your loving brother, Clarence, our family and grandchildren.
Picture Taken on Westside of J. V. Lauer's House
January 2, 2009
Stone Wall East of the home J. V. Lauer Built
January 2, 2009
Stan,Willard,Bertha,Clar, Vi & Val picture L-R taken on Westside of J. V. Lauer's Home
January 2, 2009
Picture taken on Northside of J. V. Lauer's House
January 2, 2009
Picture was taken on Eastside of J.v. Lauers Home
January 2, 2009
Picture taken on southside of home
January 2, 2009
Building by water Well at the home of Koe V. Lauers
January 2, 2009
Beautiful Stone Fireplace in the home of Joe V. Lauer
January 2, 2009
Henrietta picture taken looking in the mirrow over the fireplace
January 2, 2009
Wedding picture taken in the home of Joe V lauer
January 2, 2009
Henrietta & Valentines wedding day picture and there 5 Children
January 2, 2009
Hamburgers Meals Val's Cafe
January 2, 2009
Val's Cafe Henrietta picture taken in front of
January 2, 2009
Valentine's Daughters Deborah, Suzanne & June
January 2, 2009
Clarence and Valentine
January 2, 2009
Sandy and Valentine
January 2, 2009
Sandy's and Valentines Wedding pictures
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
January 2, 2009
In Loving Memory of Valentine A. Lauer. The young face that made people laugh so often whose spirit left for heaven October 7, 2006. Our lives in someway have been forever changed because of the loss of Valentine. We hold dear the memories of his laugh, bright smile, Val being someone caring who made a positive impression on every one he met. Having no other choice than to move on with out his physical presence, there is no other way than to be thankful unto God for allowing Val into our lives for the wonderful and unforgettable years. The smile that made hearts melt is to be found for ever more in photographs, some of which I'll submit into the Legacy book photo album. Today being the first day of 2009 I've been thinking of a song that has special meaning to our families. The song Auld Lang Syne. We've heard the song a million times around New Years Day, the words when heard have beautiful meaning specially the version I know best after I changed the words, Should old friends be forgotten, and never brought to mind? Old friends will never be forgotten just like the days the families shared together, those days it seems now so long ago. Today I'll drink a toast of kind remembrance, a hearty drink like Val and I would drink together, Many times we had that special drink with a toast when as the clock struck midnight bringing in the New year we'd be thinking of each other & this year my Toast was In memory of those days now in the past. So many events have taken place in the family of Valentines like the readers will see in the photographs and they will bring up memories when placed in the Legacy book of my brother Valentine. Reading what has been written in the book can be interesting knowing some of the things Valentine did during his life time. Jim Lauer now keeps me updated on the family now that brother Val is no longer there to do so. Like mailing me photos of his wedding that I put in the legacy books picture album. Jims sister, June wrote her Dad was right in saying to Jim to marry Margaret. She knew her Dad, Mother and sister Deb. is smiling about his marriage. Jim said his Dad married off his three daughters and always wanted his sons to get married and he finally got his wish. There are many stories told in the book of interest to read and pictures to see. Valentine's Children have to walk through major family events and life will never be the same again for his family. Loving stand-ins were found to take on the roles their Dad would have been involved in & the empty chair will always be there. Val was a beloved brother, family member and community hero. It has been wonderful and fun writing about Hours of happy times with friends and family for me, The abundant times of relaxation with a brother for years when we were in good health has not been forgotten, Our Guardian Angels watching over us kept them extra busy. Those were my memory of happy years, instead of writing a long story there are photo's taken for readers to enjoy that I'll submit in the legacy book picture album, Thoughts and memories of him go with the pictures. Valentine is special in so many ways and through our thoughts and memories he lives on forever. With all our love. Brother Clarence
Jim Lauer
December 26, 2008
On Christmas Eve 2008, 18 people gathered at Jim & Margaret Lauer's home for dinner and exchange of presents. Shannon Lauer said a prayer which included our Dad. We all miss him so much. Dad was always the last one to open his own presents, he enjoyed watching everyone open their presents first. Merry Christmas Dad!
Val's daughters Deborah, Suzanne, June
December 20, 2008
December 20, 2008
Meet Val Lauer candidate for councilman-at-large
December 20, 2008
Henreitta & Valentine Children James, Mark, Scott, Deborah, Suzanne, & June
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
December 19, 2008
The story I'm writing In Loving Memory of a loving and devoted man whom we all miss very much. There will never be another individual to replace Valentine in our hearts. Val always had a sunny smile and sense of humor that brightened an outlook in life as shown in this story. My memory in this writing covers a phase in the life of a brother when he talked politics. Valentine & I were both working from different streetcar shops in Mpls those days. He was working out of the Lake street location and I worked out of the East side barn off Hennipen Ave. As brothers we would get together weekly. " In a conversation Val had with me, he stated he was going to run for a position as councilman in the city of St. Louis Park. Val felt a commitment and this was the time he could not afford to sit out," he had something to offer and knew he had quite a lot to learn, but Val. felt he could bring a lot with him as well. Posters printed he would be running for COUNCILMAN-AT-LARGE as a private citizen, Valentine said [Quote} it is my conviction that as the City of St. Louis Park develops, its citizens should develop also. I am convinced more and more that the great decisions affecting every home owner, every business and every citizen should be made by councilmen who have a deep interest and concern for the people they represent. This I pledge! And I feel compelled to accept this challenge as a private citizen. The posters that were sent out in large print read. [ See below ]
Val Lauer is Qualified! Vice President Sno White Linen Supply Co.
Graduate of St. Cloud Tech.
World War II Veteran.
Chairman PTA Legislation Committee.
Active in Park Ball.
9 Years Residence in St. Louis Park.
Val Lauer Makes This Pledge
#1 I will work conscientiously with community resources, PTA's neighbor-hood improvement groups, business-men and business organizations to build a better community.
#2 I will work for better and more adequate fire protection.
#3 I will strive to assure full tax benefit from your tax dollar.
#4 I will push for speedier action on planned parks and recreation areas.
#5 I will work for a long range program for development of the city both residential and commercial.
#6 I will be available for conferences with citizens on community problems.
#7 I will strive to keep citizens abreast of city problems and will dedicate myself to finding constructive solutions.
VOTE FOR VAL LAUER OCTOBER 17 !!
A Photo submitted in this guest book was taken of Val Lauer at the time he lived with his wife, Henrietta, and six children at 8418 Virginia Avenue South
Henrietta & Val. Lauer with their 6 Children They lived at 8418 Virginia Avenue South
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
December 19, 2008
Valentine' Lauer's Black Bear Mailbox
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
December 12, 2008
This is going to be a story of joy and love that people and things bring into others lives. The joy Valentine brought was far reaching as told by his youngest daughter, June, in her entry Oct. 10, 2008 in this guest book. The parties Valentine threw just because he wanted to see others having fun was just one of many he hosted over countless years. This story I've been waiting until I could get more information to write about and tell my readers this story. Just what prompted Valentine to have a guy in Wisconsin, who specialized in wood carving, make this special large black female bear with it's baby cub & mailbox. Valentine told me he had a guy carve the bear then deliver it to the Lauer home at 13965-77th Avenue North in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Valentine's bear with mailbox was carved from a very large tree trunk and he wanted it to be a standing female black bear holding her pup with a mailbox next to her. I first saw the finished creation when I made a trip to Minnesota to attend a large family reunion Sandy & Valentine were hosting that year. Invitations or by word of mouth went out to all the families on both Sandy's and Valentine's side of the family. Those invited to attend the reunion included many of the Lauer friends. Sandy's Mother, sisters & brother & their family. Valentine's brother and sisters & all of the relatives that could be located. It was a great reunion with family and relatives which made it a big party with a large feast for all to enjoy and the guests had a great time. Emails from Valentine's oldest son, Jim, finally told me the story of the black bear that prompted Valentine to have this special mailbox made to impress his neighbors who would have something to talk about. Jim wrote me that Sandy had told him his Dad, Valentine, on a weekend with his wife, Sandy, were driving near the Wisconsin Dells when they passed a house with a yard full of carved animals. Jim's Dad and Sandy stopped to visit the owner, who specialized in wood carvings & see close up some of the many carvings at the man's home. They saw a smaller bear with a cub which got Valentine's attention, so Valentine asked the guy to carve a big bear similar to what the smaller bear looked like and make it as a mailbox. The deal was made on the spot. It took two years for the guy to carve the bear working on the project a little at a time and when it was finished the guy delivered it on a truck to the Lauer home. Total cost was $ 1,000. Valentine then decided the location to place the bear on their property. Mark and his Dad poured the cement pad for the bear. Once the cement cured and hardened Mark, Jim and Valentine moved the bear onto the cement pad and bolted it down into the cement, so it wouldn't come up missing one day. Jim said the bear was so heavy the three of them could not lift it, so they had to inch it along to it's place on the pad. A photo of the 6 foot tall black bear mailbox I'll submit with this story. Since this brother was not available to help Valentine with his work project I was glad to know he taught his boys the value of a strong work ethic. Val. needed some strong backs to move the heavy bear. Jim in the guest book entry Oct. 8th 2007 said his father touched many lives and being the entrepreneur he was he always had a bright outlook on his life. Val was always optimistic which shows in the projects he started around his property and at times needed help to finish them. It's great to remember Valentine touched many lives and I was always proud of my brother. I will always cherish the times we shared in life and find comfort in the fond memories. Brother Clarence
Genevieve Doolittle
December 10, 2008
Clarence, Josephine Valetine & Lorraine
December 10, 2008
Claence and Valentine 1943 in California
December 10, 2008
Willard Lauer & his family
December 10, 2008
Arthur at home in St. Cloud
December 10, 2008
Arthur, Joe V. & Willard Lauer
December 10, 2008
Willard, Geneieve, Arthur & Bertha Lauer
December 10, 2008
Lorraine Soldo & Genevieve Doolittle
December 9, 2008
1950 Valentine & Henrietta Wedding Day with parents
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
December 9, 2008
Written in loving memory of brother Valentine, his two brothers Willard, Arthur and sisters Viola and Josephine. Submitting stories in the guest book I search for memories that took place as we were growing up so my stories printed for Val's Legacy can be read by family members, our children & friends. Val and I would want something for them to remember about what took place in our lives for readers that know us and heard just some of the stories told about us in family gatherings. They won't be in doubt we had lived & survived some interesting days during our teenaged years. Readers will also know during those years we had a lot of fun times. Our mother & dad would have had gray hair earlier in their lives if they would have known what we at times were doing such as plugging 22 bullets and shot gun shells in holes we drilled in a 2x4 and with a hammer and nail we'd strike the firing pin which shot the lead from the shell casing.Those dangerous things that Val and I later during our lives when we would get together was wonderful to reminisce. We could bring the old days back when we were all together [memories live on forever] stories I submitted in the guest book I stated it had been more then two years since we have seen Valentine & sister Josephine's smiling faces. Our families miss Valentine & his sisters beyond what words can describe in the stories I write in a humble way. It is with peace and great love that we remember our beautiful loved ones who went to Heaven within the last number of years. God gives us the strength and courage to continue to reflect on all of the happy memories that we shared with them. Some of the short stories I write hopefully parts of the stories will be remembered. Readers might have to scroll back to pages in the guest book to read more about the previous stories I've written. Today I'll be including in this writing about Valentine & his sisters Lorraine and Josephine. They were the first children to be born in the large home our dad had built for his big family. A picture of the Lauer home I submitted can be seen in the guest book picture album. It was after the three of those babies came into the Lauer family home dad had finished building and wired the house it was ready for the power company to bring in the electric power line to supply electric power into his house. Those lines were never supplied until after our sister Josephine was born April 29, 1930. During those six years oil lamps had to be used for lighting the home. After Northern States power co. supplied electric to our dad's house it made quite a difference. To Val and myself it seemed to us like magic to pull on a chain that would light up a light bulb, what a difference it made in lighting up a room and not having to strike a match to light an oil lamp. I remember those days when dad put me in charge looking after my young brother and doing the jobs assigned for us to do together. One of the jobs was going to the hen house to get the eggs laid each day by the hens that weren't butchered for a dinner. I remember protecting my kid brother from a mean old rooster that took pleasure trying to attack us. One day the rooster did knock Val down and jumped on top of him, maybe thinking he was jumping a hen, but that rooster met his end that day when I used a stick like a baseball club and that blow on his neck took off the roosters head and the rooster ended up in our mom's soup pot. Our dad also had a mean old billy goat on our farm many times that goat tried to ram us with his horns, but both Val and I learned to outrun that mean old goat. Sometimes others weren't that lucky. On Dad's five acre farm he raised chickens for the eggs they laid, a cow for milk, a few pigs for the meat when butchered, a billy goat for whatever reason we as kids didn't know the reason why. Dad also had apple, cherry and plum trees. Dad also had grape arbors, a garden of raspberry plants and many cranberry plants for the fruit they'd produce. Dad had a very large section for the garden crops that would be grown, the rest of his land he planted in corn, turnip & potato fields growing both sweet corn our mother canned or we'd eat at dinner time. Dad raised field corn for feed for the farm stock he was raising. As both Val and I grew older we took on many of the outdoor work details. Some of the work we had to do made both of us strong and healthy and we were trusted to walk to town to buy things. At that time when our dad could afford purchasing items from the paycheck he would get working as a blacksmith for a granite co. Our dad was a specialist making tools, etc needed in the stone work industry. One thing I'll always remember was when Val and I would meet our dad winter or summer when dad would be walking home after a hard day working in the blacksmith shop. Our dad it seems always saved us a half egg sandwich in his lunch bucket just for us and it always tasted so good to eat. Our dad also was a stone cutter and worked long hours after he got home doing stone work on his house or on walls and sidewalks around his home. The stonework made dad's home a showplace to be proud of. There is a picture of Dad's home in the picture album. I guess as kids Valentine became a stone enthusiast and followed in his dad's footsteps after he got out of the Navy by building his home with a lot of stonework around making his homes a showplace. Valentine started collecting stones when he had his first home built after his first marriage to a beautiful lady named Henrietta. They raised six children in that home pictures of all of them I will submit in the picture album in this guestbook. Both my brother and I were involved in many things as we were growing up. I can remember a time when It wasn't odd to have two or three best friends, catching fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening. Lying on our back in the grass looking at clouds in the sky thinking of something they looked like. To some you may be forgotten, to others a part of the past. but to us who love and lost you, your memory will always last. Valentine if we could have a lifetime wish, a dream that would come true, we've prayed to God with all our hearts for yesterday and you. A thousand words can't bring you back we know because we've tried. Valentine, you are greatly missed by your loving family . Sisters Genevieve & Lorraine and brother Clarence. Thank you for being the greatest brother to us and for the loving kindness that you bestowed on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing you. You will remain forever in our hearts and you are sadly missed. With love to you forever! from the rest of your family, my family and our friends
Joseph, Bertha & son Valentine Lauer
Clarence Lauer
December 3, 2008
Both my brother and I were involved in many things as we were growing up at our home in the town we grew up in which was St. Cloud, Mn.. One thing that comes to mind was the junk radios we got for free. This story will be about the time our mother and dad let us walk to town to buy some ground beef that a small meat market, named Gotten, had on sale. Dad gave each of us a $1.00 to buy a total of $2.00 worth of hamburger meat he thought was selling at 5 cents a lb. which we did. Dad did not know the meat market lowered the price to 2 cents a lb. Luckily we had taken our old homemade wagon along because the $2.00 worth filled up a large cardboard box full of the 100 lbs. of ground beef and we needed the wagon to haul it home because it was wrapped in large packages. Mr. Gotten also gave us a big box of beef bones for our dad or mom to cook in soup when she needed if for that purpose. Her soup seasoned with meat bones always tasted so good to us starving kids and I guess Mr.Gotten knew the Lauer family needed help back during those days. Valentine and I had to wait quite awhile for the owner of the market to grind up 100 lbs. of meat. During the wait which he told us to be back in one hour and it would be ready for us. So, we walked down to a radio shop where many times the owner of that shop would let us play different radios he had in his shop, so we could hear the broadcasts and music. At times he let us sweep out his radio shop and run small errands for him in town sometimes shoveling snow off his sidewalks & similar tasks that winter. Before we left the radio shop Mr. B told us he had six old radios that he'd give us plus a big box of old radio tubes and we could take them home the next day because he said he needed more space for newer model radios that would be delivered to his store the next day, so we made plans to be there the next day before he changed his mind and maybe we'd be able to learn how to fix them. We took him up on the free radios most of them were big console models some had names like RCA and Zenith the smaller one I don't recall the name of it, but it worked. Two of the large model radios started to work after we gave them a bumpy ride home the next day. I guess all that was wrong with them was the radio tubes weren't making good connections. Another one we fixed by just swapping some of the tubes from the radio with the old ones we found in the box of tubes he gave us. Our dad was proud that his two sons brought him home a radio and he spent many hours sitting in his big leather chair resting & playing music that came out of the Zenith console radio he would have been unable to afford in those days.
Valentine Andrew Lauer with warplane
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
November 12, 2008
Photo of Valentine Andrew Lauer, Val RMEAP2/C USN with warplane after morning patrol flying off aircraft USS Block Island. Valentine without personal regard to his own safty made engagagement when he spotted at 10 am the Japanese enemy forces. Valentine Andrew Lauer was credited of shooting down and destroying [4] of the enemy [Nakajima bombers] and [1] Zero
Valentine Andrew Lauer
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
November 11, 2008
A story of heroism on this Veterans Day, it's an appropriate time to reflect on the remarkable valor of a young U.S.Navy sailor. Valentine A. "Jay" Lauer, passed away peacefully with his wife & children by his side October 7, 2006 at his home in Maple Grove, Minnesota. At the beginning of Word War I I Valentine and his three brothers were enlisted in the U.S.Navy service a photo of Val. training with the Marines for the battle of Tarawa and Iwo Jima. His family has mementos of his life and service with pictures that they will treasure. Valentine simply put was a great American and a quintessential war hero. While that may sound like a bit of hyperbole it really isn't. If anything it's an understatement by all rights he should have died his body riddled with bullets, June 19,1944 while on morning patrol during a firefight as noted in the DVD recording or in the previous story I wrote in this guest book. Valentine carried the title of a RMEAP 2/C. Valentine Andrew Lauer was credited shooting down and destroying [4] of the enemy [Nakajima bombers and [1] Japanese Zero. For his heroism during that engagement Valentine A. Lauer was awarded the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross. Valentine always said, to his brother Clarence "The idea that he would be able to even be around to finish his job before the enemy got him was ludicrous," He also was quoted of saying to some of the friends he made at the Spindrifter lounge when Valentine made trips to Jacksonville and I'd take him to the country western dances at the Spindrifter lounge. Val would say that he joined the Navy to serve like his three brothers were doing before him and when you know you're not going to make it a wonderful thing happens: You stop being cluttered by the feeling that you're going to save [your life] and yet, many other Americans have acted just as courageously in battle, some may be doing it this very moment in Irag or Afghanistan. In an overwhelming majority of cases, nobody knows. Valentine survived because thinking he had no chance of surviving, he quit worrying about death. Many of his buddies were not as fortunate. We Americans owe our fighting men and women a great deal and that's why we celebrate Veterans Day. We should be grateful to those who stepped forward to defend our country in its times of danger and particularly express appreciation to someone who served in World War I I . We owe our veterans a great deal. Let them know it.
Valentine & Clarence's 1928 Chevy 4 door sedan
Clarence Lauer
November 10, 2008
Photo with story of the 1928-Chevrolet National-AB-4 Door-Sedan two brothers Clarence and Valentine traded a cord of oak firewood as we made no little plans as they have no magic to stir young brother's blood. Whatever we learned you do or dream you can do-begin it the reason we decided to get the 1928 Chevy at a very young age the winter of 1937. Boldness has genius and magic in it. You see things and say "Why Not". Winter season at that time reminds me of snowflakes as they are one of natures most fragile things. Just look what snowflakes can do when they stick together. Two brothers when they were growing up did just that, so read more of that statement in the story I submitted 6/20/2008 in the guest book for completed stories of the teenage years of Lauer boys.
Bronze Statue of Liberty Valentine Acquired
Clarence William (Bill) LauerJ
November 6, 2008
Story written and submitted in the Guest Book September 24, 2008 by Jim Lauer. Valentine told me he had planed to build a minature New York City around the statue at a later date. The Bronze Statue similar to the one in picture was Acquired by Valentine about 1995 and Valentine mounted her in the back yard at their house located in Maple Grove Mn. Lately the Statue of Liberty has a new home in the All American Grill in Weverly, Minnesota
Photo of the biplane Willard Lauer built 1933-34
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
November 5, 2008
A brother is someone who has a warm and natural way of always being there when you need him. He's someone to be proud of and to count on. Valentine and I always agreed to that statement and it must have been passed down from our two older brothers Willard and Arthur. After 70 years memories of what our brothers did that inspired us when we were kids I'll be writing about in this story. Willard, our oldest brother, built and flew his homemade airplane while he was a Minnesota teenage daredevil in high-school. Willard had built this biplane using the scale model blueprint he bought in a hobby shop. The model plane was a two-bay biplane with straight equal span wings. He built the fuselage to scale in a cellar garage with the help of one of his friends who salvaged some of the welded steel tube framework and other parts off another biplane that had crashed at the end of the airport field. Some older airplane buffs at the St. Cloud, Mn. airport helped Willard with his high school project. The fabric covered fuselage was built over a welded tube framework. The lower wing was smaller than the upper wing He salvaged a motorcycle engine for the power needed to fly the plane instead of a Pratt & Whitney radial low- powered air cooled engine.. I remember his homemade airplane. When it was finished it looked similar to the yellow Peril a Navy trainer aircraft which was known as the cadet. A photo of his 1933 biplane is shown in the picture gallery, The engine was taken off an Indian motorcycle. Willard worked with someone at the airport to get an engine mount and it was mounted onto the fuselage. The motorcycle engine was modified & attached to that engine mount including a single blade propeller mounted on the engine. Our brother, Arthur, owned the motorcycle. The cowling was never attached around the engine. After it was finished and readied for testing an instructor checked Willard's biplane out and flew it. The instructor then took Willard up in it staying close to the airfield and turned the controls over to Willard and our brother was able to solo fly the plane himself after his second flight. The underpowered plane handled so poorly that it proved hazardous to an inexperienced pilot. For that reason they could not get an okay to keep flying their home built plane at the airport. Willard & Arthur took the wings off and made a wind plane out of it. After that they had fun speeding around the fields near our home. Later without the wings they would wind ride down the Mississippi river when the river froze. The plane less wings and engine stayed at the house a number of years. Willard entered the Navy after high school graduation in 1934. Arthur joined the Navy in 1937. After Arthur joined the Navy Val & I had the plane to play around with it. In 1937 on a winter weekend snow covered the fields and cold weather had set in. A farmer, Ray Shire, who lived across the field from our Dad's house had a winter sled that could be pulled by one horse. He hadn't used that sled in years or at least Valentine nor I hadn't seen him use that buggy sled. Val and I decided we needed to borrow the sled runners, so we took the front runners off it without Ray's permission and carried them back to our house. We took the wheels off the plane and mounted the sled runners onto the plane struts and dicided to install a different back seat in the fuselage One day when Mother & Dad was at Church our friends Bob & Zip Val and myself pulled the plane to the top of Bunker Hill a real steep hill around a mile from the house. We were going to use it as a Toboggan & speed slide down that steep hill which was about a four block ride to the bottom We decided I would be the pilot. Bob wanted to be the back seat passenger. We set the plane on the lip of that hill then I got in the cockpit with the controls. Bob buckled himself in the back seat then Val & Zip shoved us over the brim of that hill. The hill slanted about a 90 degree angle about one block down that steep hill we crossed an old wagon trail very fast. Because of that crossing the downgrade of the hill we hit the flattened section so hard Bob Brockway came out of the bottom of the fuselage. Quickly looking back when I heard the noise I saw Bob had come through the bottom of the fuselage and there he was making loop de loop down the hill. I could only see him for a few seconds as I was on that death defying ride myself. Before my ride neared the end of the steep part of the hill the body of the plane veered off the steep hill and was heading for a patch of trees. Luckily the sled runner ran into deep snow and the left sled runner went into a fox hole which stopped our plane dead still. It stopped so fast I thought I had broken my neck, but it saved me from running into trees. Val & Zip got Bob out of the fuselage seat and they ran & slid down the hill to see how I was doing. They laughed about the whole experience as they thought it was very funny. We decided with the bottom busted out of the plane fuselage Valentine and Zitur didn't want anything to do with a second daredevil speed ride down that hill. We pulled that plane back home. Our Dad heard from Ray Shire that someone had stolen the runners off his winter snow sled buggy. He found out we had them on that plane. Well, Dad figured it out. He made us take them off and return them to Ray the farmer. We put them back on that sled which we did or we'd have got our butts tanned with his razor strap. We did replace the runners on Ray's sled while Ray wasn't home. The next day Ray Shire was working around the farm barn and noticed those sled runners were back on his sled. Many of us go to our eternal destiny with music inside of us that lights up a brother's genius. As further fond memories come to mind it will be an honor to enter the writings in the guest book. When time has stolen away our stars and only the night endures yet somewhere in the darkness brother Val my hand will still seek yours. You will remain in my heart forever Valentine. Your brother, Clarence
one of the rock quarry's near waite park Valentine & I SWAM IN
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
October 24, 2008
This entry will be about memories that I can remember when Valentine and I were growing up in St. Cloud, Mn. that I have written in my stories about Rock Jumping and swimming at Quarry's in Valentines guest book. The summer days when it was warm and sunny with temperatures in the 80's & 90's. It was likely some of our many summer activities we did once both of us had learned to swim well enofe to trust swimming in the deep waters the quarry holes held after the good granite rock was quarried and the companies moved to other quarry sights. 1948 I moved back to Minnesota from Florida and Valentine & I were living & Working in Mpl's for a number of years. Many times we drove up to St. Cloud, our old home town where we visited some of the swimming holes located in that area. In 1998 Waite Park opened Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, the land was previously owned by local quarry companies and contains 30 abandoned rock quarries, most filled with water once the pumps were shut down and the companies move away. There are several grout piles as well still located around some of the quarry holes plus large hills of unwanted quarried rock (the large boulders were considered too small) are restricted now to rock climbers with permits. Many grout piles that were numerous located all around the quarries at the time the quarry companies stopped quarrying of rock in the 1960's and 1970. New companies came in and granite rocks were cracked into smaller rock pieces and put to good use, some can now be seen under railroad tracks all over the country. Valentine and I on a number of trips driving in from the twin cities went specifically for the granite quarry named Melrose Deep 7, the swimming hole that I wrote about in some of my stories submitted in the guest book it's usually filled with 116 feet of water. It always was Popular with students at St. Cloud State University, the main attraction is the chance to jump or dive from the rock walls lining the swimming hole. Val and I braved the cold water and jumped off several times from the rock walls but after we got older and wiser decided to sit back like others and watch the show offs.There were several ledges, for all different levels of skill and bravery. Some of the college students were doing crazy flips and dives off the highest ledge, At one time Valentine and I had dived off the 36 foot ledge but usually stayed on the lower ones. After the park opened people not interested in jumping off rocks the park allows scuba diving in four of the quarries. Divers must be certified and dive with a buddy. "There are various underwater hazards such as tree snags, abandoned quarrying equipment, and loose rock piles."If scuba diving isn't for you, you can try rock climbing in designated areas, hiking, mountain biking, or trout fishing. Winter season the trails are open for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, with four miles of lit trails for use after dark. Winter weather started to be much to cold for this converted florida man. Val & I gave up all the winter sports but after I moved back to florida I would make trips up to Minnesota visiting with family members winter or summer. This was written in memory of my brother Valentine. When God called his number He took "ONE OF A KIND" He did not know a stranger. From weather flying into hurricanes or over the ocean waves, He feared not a thought of danger. A GREAT son to his Mother, A GREAT son to his Dad. A beloved member in the Lauer family and father to his children. I will always remember the days we spent together. Your memory will always last. Brother Clarence
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
October 22, 2008
This writing will be my 'time machine' as I'll share my wisdom and experience writing about my brother, Valentine in two seperated enteries. I recall during a period of time while in Navy service during WW II by chance Val & my paths crossed when the carrier he was serving aboard made a port call in San Diego California. While sharing liberty we took in a USO dance during which time I taught Valentine some routines on dancing the jitterbug which was the start of Val's enjoyment in dancing. . When I retired 37 years later I decided to enjoy having fun instead of working. Valentine and I stayed in touch weekly by 'phone sharing family news. The first few years after retirement a friend talked me into taking square dance lessons. I decided to go just about nightly square dancing finally on a trip to visit my brother, Willard, who was living in California. He had a TV program broadcasting from a community college campus around Cupertino, California teaching Western dance classes. I was on a three week vacation visiting Willard and family. While there he encouraged me to take a class in advanced country western dancing. I learned fast & enjoyed country music. I loved to dress up in western dress shirts, cowboy boots and a western cowboy hat. I reveled in the attention bestowed on me from square dance partners as his classes also taught square dance routines. Later on Val & I were very active mixing with country western dance crowds both in California, Florida and Minnesota. Valentine liked the cowboy hat and western dress so I talked Valentine into taking dance lessons in country western two stepping and line dancing. He learned quite fast enjoying those type dance routines. Later Valentine started line dance instructions himself with Sandy teaching lessons at different clubs where Val was teaching waltzing, two step & western swing. He got his wife, Sandy, to participate and like myself Val & I were living it up just like our brother Willard in California a lot of fun for the three Lauer boys, Willard, Valentine & myself with Sandy and Joey. We would go country western dancing every time Willard and I would make plans to be in Minnesota at the same time. We'd take in the V.F.W. clubs when they were having live bands playing western dance music both in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Once the out of state Lauer boys with brother Valentine and our dance partners took in a dance club located in the heart of Minneapolis. A reporter for the M'pls Star Tribune noticed the Lauer group all dressed up in colorful western dress, boots and cowboy hats. He decided to take pictures of us at that club and the Lauer group made the headlines in the M'pls. newspaper the next morning. We stayed active dancing for a number of years. Age finally caught up with all the Lauer boys. Willard the oldest in the family had to discontinue the TV dance programs he had previously broadcast from the college campus in Cupertino, California. Valentine guit teaching lessons in M'pls. afterwards was not as active in dancing except on special occations. One of my favorite dance clubs "Spindrifter' located in the Best Western motel in Orange Park south of Jacksonville, Florida changed management. The new management stopped having live bands which was a big mistake as the dance crowds all started dancing at a club called "Crazy Horse". I decided the distance from that location traveling home after midnight was dangerous. On one trip traveling on the highway some nut shot a hole through the windshield of my car from an overhead roadway that crossed US 17 and no-one was ever apprehended or arrested in the incident. Lawlessness was happening all over our great city and the word was spread for everyone had to watch their backs. The clincher that made me stop making those dance night trips was when on another trip home around one o' clock a.m. an attempt to highjack my car was made by two hoodlums, but they didn't get away with it. I decided to give up that every night fun time going by myself. Great memories I'll never forget was written in a story I submited 10/28/2008 a snapshot was taken of Val our sisters Lorraine, Josephine and myself at the Spindrifter Lounge and that photo can be seen in the picture album in this guest book. I still would go once a week with Yvonne & Haley friends of ours that danced at the Spindrifter lounge. Yvonne & I were regular dance partners having won dance contests as a couple. Valentine & Sandy met her a number of times when they took vacation trips for vists. Mildred didn't care to go dancing because she didn't like to go to the smoke filled dance halls. I was trusted to dance with Yvonne & some of her pretty girlfriends. I stayed active dancing until a short time after I celebrated my 76th birthday this story will be continued in another entry. This time of year is always a happy time in my life, enjoying writting stories about my brother Valentine. We talk about you often Valentine and how one day we will get to see you again in Heaven. Until then, just know that you will be in our heats always. Brother Clarence
Madison Quarry Hole - St Cloud, MN
Clarence Lauer
October 22, 2008
Val and I both would want something about what took place in our lives for readers that heard some of the stories told about us to know this was a true story. One day, after our brothers Willard & Arthur had left home and joined the Navy, we found Arthur's high school project that he had left behind. It was what we would think of today as scuba gear dive tank. Our brother Arthur made most of it during his welding class in high school. He had formed a tank that fit around his upper body and his head. It had a fitting for an air hose on top of that tank. Arthur had welded in a glass window, so when it was used he could see through it into the water. It was lined with padding around shoulders and around the waist and had a belt that would strap the dive tank tight around his body. One day we decided to take it to the quarry hole to test it out ourselves, but first we had to gather up the stuff we needed as our brother Arthur did not leave the scuba air tank nor the gauges he must have had that attached to the chest plates on his school project. We took a tire air pump and a long air hose from a filling station, I think it was Webb's service station close to our home in St. Cloud, without the owners permission. We took the scuba tank and with our good friends, who were always with us, the four of us headed out. Richard "Zip" Zitur, Bob Brockway, Val & myself headed to the quarry hole. Bob Brockway put on the helmet and he was the one that was going to go down to a 20 foot ledge and we were going to check out our diving helmet. We clamped the air hose onto the tank and onto the truck air pump, anticipating we could pump air into the scuba tank for Bob to be able to inhale the air. When we first put the helmet on him, Bob sat down on the ledge. We put a rope around him just to pull him back up when he sank down to that 20 foot ledge. Zip Zitur was the pump man to pump air. We soon found out the air was holding Bob up, so he wouldn't sink. We had to pull him up on the rocks and then we tied granite rocks on Bob's feet. Those rocks had round holes in them which had been drilled in them to place dynamite in and when set off, the dynamite would blow cracks in the quarry rocks allowing the granite company to remove the rocks. The rocks we found with the holes that had been drilled thru them had to weight about 50-75#'s. We could barely lift them. Bob sat on ledge. We took a piece of rope strung it thru the holes then tied them around Bob Brockway's feet good and tight. We had to push him off and he went down to the 20 ft level ledge under the water very fast. We could see him down there. All of a sudden he was waving his arms. Zip was pumping air up a storm to the scuba tank. Then we realized something was wrong. All at once water started coming out of the heavy duty truck tire pump. The tank had filled with water and the air pump was then sucking the water up the hose and we needed to pull Bob up before he would suffocate in the water filled dive helmet. Val, Richard Zitur and myself were pulling on the rope and had a heck of a time pulling Bob up with those two rocks tied around his feet. Bob couldn't use his feet to help paddle himself to the surface because of the weight of those rocks tied to his legs and feet & he almost drowned. That was the most dangerous thing we did as kids. Val & I could laugh about it later. Look for photo.
Quarry Swimming Hole with Val and Clarence
Clarence Lauer
October 14, 2008
I remember the day that Val learned to swim. This is one of the more dangerous things I can remember when Val and I were growing up together. We decided it was time for Val to learn how to swim while we were in grade school. I myself had learned to swim in a Quarry hole when with my older two brothers Willard and Arthur took me along to their favorite place to go skinny dipping swimming. They thought it was time I learned to swim & showed me how to dog paddle.They grabbed me and just tossed me into that deep water hole believe me when I hit the water I learned to swim very fast or sink to the bottom. I was about the age that Valentine was when on a hot summer day we walked to Pleasant Lake about 4 or 5 miles from our house where Val was going to get his first swim lesson from this big brother Clarence. That day I remember we took a rope, tied it to Val and had him run out to the end of that dock that someone had built, so he, his family or friends could fish in the deeper water. I, like my older brothers had taught me, showed Valentine how I wanted him to not be afraid and dog paddle himself back to the dock while I would pull him in with the rope. Valentine had to jump out as far as he could. If he sunk I could pull him in, however, on Val's first try when he jumped out into the lake the rope came off and he sank to the bottom. I jumped in to get to him, but could not find him in the dark water. However, before I could swim back to the dock Val came up on one of the dock supports he had crawled on the bottom of the lake to the dock. That was his first lesson. I guess in saving himself and now that I think about it Val did not swallow any water and it did not seem to scare him as we again tied the rope on Val only this time I tied it with a knot instead of a bow which must have been the reason the rope had come untied when Val made his first jump. Valentine before we left the lake that afternoon began to swim without the rope tied onto him only because as his protector I would not let him dive or jump very far from the dock and we both were happy he had learned to swim. It was a long walk home as we both were very tired from our fun day at the lake we also were very hungry. Half way home we passed a house and Val asked the woman at the house if she had something she would give us to eat. That woman fixed us each a big sandwich and gave us a large glass of milk and sent us on the way and we got home safe & sound, but we never told our mother what had happened that day, so she didn't take a strap to our butts if it had made her worry.
We started after that going to the quarry holes that were closer to our house. That's when we would go skinny-dipping just like our oldest brothers had done before us. There was a big timber about 20 inches square and about 15 foot long that was left floating in the water in the quarry hole when the stone company stopped quarrying after the good rock ran out. I would push that timber closer to where Valentine was going to swim as he then could use it like a boat to hang on to or he could lay on that big timber that had been used in the derrick that lifted the rocks to stack up those flawed rocks the company did not want. When the quarry was in operation hundreds of large pieces of scrap rock was stacked along the sides of the quarry hole which scrap rose to about 35 feet high like a wall making it a private place to go swimming. At different high spots in those rocks it was a perfect place to dive from those rocks into t he water. We both liked to dive or jump from 28 feet above the water. It was dangerous as the water was 90 to 100 feet deep and the water always was cold.. When we swam out there Val would sit on rocks at the edge of the water at first and from there he would dog paddle from the rock and each time he would go further out in the water and pull himself up on that big timber we used to rest on when we'd get tired. At first when I noticed he was getting tired I would push these 16 x 16 timbers floating in the quarry hole closer for him to hold on to rest. Later that year Val learned to swim all the way across the 100 feet spring filled water hole. In our days little things happened that passed on back into our minds. It might be something as insignificant as a conversation or it could be something as important as a special day we've been privileged to share with each other, the ones we love are forever with us. Whatever our reason for keeping the ones we love in mind and heart, Val you have not left our memory. Love brother Clarence and Family
June Broadhurst (Lauer)
October 10, 2008
Last evening I watched the movie "The Bucket List". If you haven't seen it, I recommend you have a box of tissues on hand. It's about 2 men with terminal illnesses, you may be thinking how sad and depressing that would be to watch. The story though contains so much more then sadness, it's a story of joy and love that people (and things) bring into lives. One scene is where the men are sitting high on a pyramid gazing across the land of Egypt. At one point of the conversation something really moved me, of which I want to share here. You have to watch the movie to get the full impact and effect of what my few words here mean.
There was 2 questions, the first question is "Have you found Joy in your Life?", most of us would immediately say Yes. The second question is more profound and it really got me thinking...
"Has your life brought Joy to others?"
My Father brought Joy into so many peoples lifes, not just his family and friends. The Joy he brought was far reaching. The parties he threw, just because he wanted to see others having fun. The Christmas Hams that he handed out to his worthy employees, dancing on top of tables just to see others laugh. Sitting in the boat for hours waiting for fish to bite, my Father filling the silence with his own stories that brought so much Joy to me. There is so many stories of Joy that my Father brought into so many lifes. Even though he is now gone 2 years, his memories still bring Joy. I will finish here so you can all take a few minutes to reflect on the Joy he brought into your lives.
I bet if he could yell from the Heavens he would be saying to all of us, "Find the Joy in your Life and give that Joy freely to everyone you meet." Thanks Dad for giving me Joy. :)
Lorraine Soldo
October 8, 2008
In memory of my brother Val.As I look out my window and see all the beautiful colors,I remember this is the time you left us,and it brings much sadness,It has been two years tomorrow that you have gone, I miss the phone calls and the times you would come over and just sit and talk.I did not know how much I missed it until I realized the phone does not ring anymore and the visits have stopped.Our life does not seem the same losing you, Josephine and Vi.We know that you are in a much better place where there in no more suffering and only happiness.I believe that Dad and Mom and all the family gone on before us,were there to take your hand and welcome you home.Thank you for all the years we had together and the good memories we are left with.One day when it is our time to leave we hope all of you will be there to welcome us. We will never stop missing you,loving you and remembering.Sisters Lorraine,Gen and brother Clarence
Claudette Philbrook-Bougie
October 4, 2008
Today is Oct. 4th and it looks like this book will close on Oct. 9th. I want to thank Jim, Margaret, Mark, Scott, Sue and June for all your love that you have given my sister Sandy, her daughters Anita and Shannon. You have been there to help before Jay's death and ever since. Sandy and Jay's life (to me)was a "Fairy Tale" lived out until the end. They loved each other so much and had so much FUN together. They enjoyed life to the fullest. Your father kept everyone guessing all the time with all his stories, were they true or was some of it fiction. That is one thing I loved about your dad. And Jim it's great being around you because you take after him in so many ways@
Thank you Clarence for all the stories that you have written in this book. I have learned so much about my brother-in-law. Thank you also to the rest of the Lauer famliy and friends for all your sharing. I'm going to give Sandy a printed hard cover of all of this so she will have it for the rest of her life. What a beautiful life story, testamonial, written by so many of you who loved Jay so very much. I hope all the pictures are included also because they tell so much more of Jay's life. Love and blessings sent to all of you. Claudette
june broadhurst (lauer)
October 4, 2008
It's almost 2 years now since my Dad has gone. Life changes, his wife Sandy has been preparing the house to sell as it no longer suits her and Shannon's needs. I do hope it will sell quickly when she puts it on the market. I wasn't attached to that house as I've just been a visitor as I live overseas. I do think that they were pretty comfortable in the house. My memories go way back to the "cabin" on Medicine Lake. Remember the attic with the green shag carpeting that lined the floors and walls? Dad put alot of work into that house and completely changed the structure over time. I still remember the big round and red water bed. Remember the playboy bunny pillows he had on the gold couch? I also remember some of Dad's famous Holloween parties, he sure knew how to throw a party. Even his wedding with being chained to Sandy! I remember fishing and swimming in the summer months. Ice skating and snowmobiling in the winter months over the hills (which now are all houses).
I remember my Dad's smile and the twinkle in his eyes. Oh and the "story telling". I remember being quite young, 1st grade I think. I had to find out where our family came from and tell it to the class. My Dad told me that I was half japanese jew and had some american indian in me along with being german (the german part is the only part that was true!) Of course at that young age, everything that my Dad said was true, I wonder what the teacher thought when I told the class that I was a half japanese jew with indian and german! I miss him.
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
October 2, 2008
It was at this time of year when the oven would go into overdrive in our mother's home baking cookies, muffins and on special occasions the cookings that Valentine and the rest of her family always remembered. Originally from a small town in Minnesota and one of eight children our mother kept her Midwestern work ethic going eventhough she lived for 96 years of her life mostly in the city of St Cloud, Anyone just watching her throughout her working days was exhausting. Mom always was a very busy person raising her family. She brought her eight children up during the depression days, From spring until fall season she worked in the large garden with her children raising the vegetables and kept a steady supply for homemade meals on the table. Valentine and all her children will remember watching her make the rolls & homemade yeast bread often the night before a special dinner. Our Mother would remove her wedding ring and dive into the bread yeast dough, sifted flour until smooth to make dough easy to handle then she would knead the dough until smooth and elastic, next she'd place it in a greased bowl or bread pans to let the dough rise for better or worse the end results was the best homemade bread she would be proud of as her food had always been an expression of love in our family. And when tasted the foods you felt it. I'm sure many people over the years could make the same claim, but my mother was an amazing cook with perfectly braised roasts and our father's favorite, fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy were regularly on the menu. Our parents had dinner guests frequently often our relatives who were down on their luck during the depression days they came from out of town on many weekends during those years for dinners. Many of our visitors seemed delighted to eat meals made from scratch.with products grown on the Lauer farm. We always felt proud to have a mother who cooked so good. After Valentine and myself left home and joined the Navy we both missed the meals that had been cooked back home. Valentine later in life remembering about the soups our mother used to make decided with what he learned from his Dad and Mother about cooking he began making soups so good Valentine started a soup company and had some of the best tasting soups soon sold to many restaurants. Val had his sister, Lorraine, working in the soup company as chief cook in charge of making the soups, so it's no wonder why his soup company was a success as Lorraine shouldered the bulk of the cooking duties at Valentine's soup company. All the Lauer family had to learn to cook and were taught that skill from their Mother when we were very young. Some of us dusted off our mom's old recipe box, filled with stained index cards and directions written in cursive. Everything always turns out right it is like she was there with all of us. Cooking brings all of us pleasure like Val's own culinary repertoire had grown just like his sisters has. They all have hosted dinner parties cooking up my mom's special recipes and learning new ones. We can relate from things we learned to create a tasty meal out of vegetables by remembering the days we were teenagers growing up on our small farm using the vegetables and fresh herbs produced on the land at the home our Dad owned and taught cooking by our mother & dad. It never was too late to learn at a party, I cornered the chef in attendance and asked him about my attempts to poach eggs. [ He recommended adding a little vinegar to the water which helps the eggs to stay together better.] Although my own recipe box has grown ever so often our sisters and I have made mom's potato rolls. Fluffy pillows of white they taste like heaven. Another special Valentine and I always remembered was fried bread dough we called them wind puffs and sometimes elephant ears, a thick white slice of bread dough fried in hot cooking oil then drizzled in jelly or honey and ate hot from the frying pan.They connect us to our mother and now that Valentine passed away some of his life's learning left a Legacy in the kitchen. Never to be forgotten. Brother Clar
American Flag waving at the home of V.A. Lauer
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
September 25, 2008
On this day, 83 years ago, a beautiful baby boy was born. His mother, Bertha, named him Valentine middle name Alexander after his Uncle Andrew a brother of Val's Dad Joe V. Lauer. who snapped the first beautiful picture taken of my brother a number of days after his birth. Never did he know he'd grow up to be a special man in many people's lives. Nor did he know he'd marry a lovely lady and sweetheart, Henrietta, from a small town near his hometown of St. Cloud, Minnesota and have his own family of six children, James, Deborah, Suzanne, Mark, Scott, & June. Later during his life he again married a second lovely woman named Saundra "Sandy' and Valentine's family grew to eight with Sandy's daughter, Anita, and in that marrage have a daughter Shannon Lauer. He did not know his family would grow before his eyes and he'd become a loving grandfather. Not once did he know the Lord would take him back home while he was fixing his home in Maple Grove, Minnesota and the yards around his home the place he would enjoy during his retirement years with beautiful landscaping in the front yard highlighted with a tall flag pole and the American Flag waving on it day & night with the flag pole lights at the base shining on old glory. It's a beautiful sight during the dark of the night. The flag pole is set in an elevated star shaped flower bed making that creation of Val's a special beauty during the daylight hours. Valentine was a WW II veteran who showed the true meaning of patriotism such as erecting the statue of liberty & flagpole at his home. In addition on special dates he would play patriotic music for hours on end. One thing Val did know his family, sisters, brother and friends loved him very much and knew the day he left this world he'd done his job wonderfully well. On this day, September 17, 2008 we celebrate Valentine's birthday as we do every year because Val you are with us and we are with you in spirit and in heart. We have our cherished memories and all the love you gave us.. Happy Birthday Valentine We are remembering you and keeping you close to our hearts. With much love your brother Clar and family.
Jim Lauer
September 24, 2008
My father had acquired a bronze Statue of Liberty about 1995 and mounted it in his backyard. It was about 10 feet tall, and had a torch which would light up at night. It was very cool.
Recently, the owner of the All American Grill in Waverly, Minnesota wanted the Statue very badly for his restaurant's lobby. Sandy sold it to him, and now the Statue is seen by thousands of visitors each year. It has a good home, and will be appreciated by countless people for many years to come.
Statue with Jim & Suzanne & Mark
September 23, 2008
Statue of Liberty
September 23, 2008
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
September 22, 2008
In Loving Memory of Valentine A. (Jay) Lauer whose's greatly missed along life's way. Quietly remembered every day. He's no longer in our lives to share, but in our hearts he is always there. Brother and Friend each of these titles he has been. Each one as beautiful as the other also included is Uncle in the families and Father to his children. Each family member is full of memories love deep enough to cross the centuries. Now Val has the most important name, he will ever own "alive forevermore" and "At the Master's Throne" Remembering Val with love on this date September 17, 2008 which was his birthday and he would have been 83 years old. That day October 07th, 2006, the angels guided him safely home to be with the Lord forever and now at peace. As Val lives on in the lives he touched there is comfort in knowing his spirit is still with us as we reflect continuously on all of the joyous memories that we shared. I remember Val's smiling face, his intellect, his charm, and his sence of humor. They say that those who you have loved in your family become a part of you, and live on forever in memories shared. It seems as it was yesterday and the beautiful memories are the same. The love, the laughter the work we did together during the years we would get together, I think back on all the crazy things we did as kids and smile. Val's bright spirit- they all still remain and if we could have one lifetime wish, one dream that could come true we'd pray to God with all our hearts for yesterday. Time passes so fast. Valentine has already been with Jesus nearly two years. I can still see him waving goodbye. Sometimes I think I'm dreaming, I can't believe it's true that I can go on living when I no longer have Val to send cards to or receive 'phone calls from him as we did for so many years. The memories of the happy years when we were together the fears, the joys, tears will stay with me forever. When I'm sad and lonely and everything goes wrong I seem to hear Val whisper, "Don't worry, be happy, carry on". Each time I see Val's picture in my dreams he seems to smile and say, "Don't cry, I'm only sleeping, we'll meet again someday. As tomorrow continues to start without my brother Valentine, I realize that my best friend is not here to laugh or travel across the states to visit, go fishing again, or play in the game of horseshoes like we did for so many years. Val's leaving has left a void that's filled with loving memories some tearful and some cheerful. Time stood still tears were shed and the test of faith was tried. Not that much has changed from that day to this. The days are shorter the nights are longer and how it used to be is what we miss.eventhough we feel incomplete and time doesn't heal our pain We cherish every story behind the pictures we had taken over our lifetime. Valentine's life was dedicated to defending our country during WW !!. When Val returned from the war he married and raised six children, Valentine worked hard to raise his children and the love he instilled in their hearts has made his absence with them a little more acceptable. His loving spirit that surrounds them daily reassures them that they will see him again in Heaven. Until then we will celebrate our time shared with him. There are so many memories that will forever be part of this family. Although we know Valentine is in a better place it's still hard to accept that he's no longer with us in the flesh. He will always be in our hearts and sadly missed. Until that great getting up morning, fare de well brother. As Val lives on in the lives he touched we all find comfort in knowing his spirit is still with us to live in the hearts of those left behind is not to die. Loved. missed and never forgotten. Your family, sisters, friends and brother Clarence
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
September 2, 2008
This Labor day reminds me it's been one year eleven months & six days since Valentine's departure to a more peaceful place, his loss is still hard to accept. Our families and friends are still coping and continue to think about Valentine daily. As I sit here I started wondering about this question, How do you describe the important person in your life? By his accomplishments, by his children or by the way he was? Valentine was a man who gave when he had the least to give, who included courage when he was the most frightened, who taught us strength at a time when he was the weakest. He endured suffering bravely and silently throughout his illness, initially psychologically, but later physically never asking of others when he was so in need. Each of us who knew him remember how he touched us individually and how he changed each of our lives. Valentine is always in our thoughts and like I've said many times forever in our hearts his voice, smile, laughter, and the joy that he brought to our lives. They say memories are golden maybe that's true, but we never wanted memories we only wanted Val to be around a little longer. Love is a journey that never ends. We are grateful for our journey with Valentine. I guess fantasy is a necessary ingriedient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. It's true that we don't know what we have until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives. It's great to remember someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright & to find the memory that makes your heart smile. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. To those people who meant something to you like Valentine did to me, to those who have touched your life in one way or another, to those who make you smile when you really need it, to those that make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down, to those who you want to let know that you appreciate their friendship. And if you don't, don't worry, nothing bad will happen to you. You will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten someone's day with this message.The best part of writing is having the thoughts in mind from memories. While we are aware we are living in the present I think it's grand to often think about the sweet memories of the past & also to look forward to the future. There's nothing wrong with having all of it, past, present & future. The two years that passed Val's gentle face and patient smile with sadness I recall he always had a kind word for me and as long as life and memory last I will remember my youngest brother. No one can fill his vacant place in our hearts. I have the memories of the happy years when Valentine and I would get together the joys, tears, the love, the fears will stay with me forever. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again. Written In Loving Memory of Valentine by brother Clar. with Love
Jim Lauer
August 1, 2008
My Dad's back yard was a unique and wonderful creation, with the fountains, pond, dance floor, spit, Statute of Liberty, flowers, etc., all connected by cement sidewalks.
Well, over the years some of the cement sidewalks needed unending repair. So in July, we (Sandy and her sisters, Anita and her kids, and Val's children) all ganged up to replace some of the sidewalk with sod. It was quite an effort, The sidewalks had to be jackhammered, the pieces one by one hauled to the front of the house where the dumpster was. Then black dirt was hauled in and spread out, and then the sod was laid.
The end result looks very nice. Sandy said it looks like a park. The only problem: now the grass must be mowed! There was never any grass before.
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
July 29, 2008
When I write this story, I feel I must share it with the family & friends for memories of another of Valentine's creations, a special spit supported over a charcoal pit. Charcoal was always used for heat and it was burned in a walled in pit that Valentine built which supported the framework for his creation that he originally made at the home he had by Medicine Lake and later was taken to the Maple Grove home. The spit was powered by an electric 1/4 hp motor that turned a belt pulley attached to a reduction gear box which had an adapter to attach a heavy stainless steel pointed special rod especialy designed to put meat on skewer. Meat grippers attached to the rod with pins would hold the meat in place when rod was rotating. The rod was inserted thru what ever meat was attached and slowly turned when roasting was in progress. The spit was used to roast extra large beef roasts at times even a whole hog when a special occasion was taking place & Val would have a party and sometimes he invited 75 or more than 100 guests. As we travel along life's road daily the things I can bring to light was that Valentine only needed a good reason to have a big party and used family reunions, holidays & special events to have guests around to celebrate with him. Memories that are not to be forgotten at his parties all the guests brought special dishes of foods, drinks, etc. so a lot of food was served and eaten. Those parties always turned out to be big events in the Lauer family. Knowing that Val spent portions of his life to celebrate the better you will know what made Val the person you will read about today. Valentine's last big party was a family reunion held at his home in the city of Maple Grove. It was the last big party that all of Valentine's four sisters made it to Valentine's last outdoor party to celebrate with the many family & relative members at a reunion.The setting for that party that will be remembered was located in Valentine & Sandy's backyard. It was another of Val's creations that took many manhours of hard labor for month on end for Val with the help from Wife Sandy, his three sons Jim, Mark, Scott, plus Val's daughter Suzanne's Husband Corkie and other family members to finish. It once was said life is too short for drama & petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly. Live while you are alive, the years march on relentlessly. The first time Val couldn't lift a heavy stone he joked about it to me as I was visiting him and we both were working around a beautiful pool in his back yard, but later that same day I saw him outside alone straining to lift it. He became a little irritated when I teased him about his advancing age or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man. The work project was for making the most beautiful backyard designed for Valentine's dream for his retirement days where he could sit when he had the desire near the statue of Liberty one of the special statues Val had purchased & set up. Val had to enjoy the beautiful yard made up of flower gardens planted with perennials & other flower plants that would bloom most all year around. Around the complete lot line of his property he had planted spruce trees and in between each tree mounted on a post was a bird house 36 each at my last count. Val was a rock collector and enjoyed the sound of water flowing over rocks, so he designed and built in the back yard ponds with waterfalls the water flowing across the rocks made beautiful sounds as it poured into a stream which flowed into a larger pond where the water was then pumped back to the pond at the head of the waterfalls to again continue flowing over the rocks. Valentine built beautiful walls and steps of rocks that like his sister-in-law, Claudette Philbrook-Bougie, from Little Canada, Mn. wrote in her 6/2/08 entry to the guest book she could never describe the beauty to you that haven't seen it. I have video tape recorded of the complete yard with it's fountains, walkways, the dance floor he built that went around the big tree and mailed or gave copies of those recordings to Valentine's children and my family also some to our friends, so his work would not be forgotten. The video recording can be played and the beauty of what can be seen does thrill a heart to hear the sounds of talking & the laughing and see the people who had been recorded on video tape. It has been said it was awesome to have had the opportunity to just sit and enjoy the feeling with wonderful memories in the beauty that Val left behind in so many different ways for all of us. I've learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it. I was privileged to travel to Mn. & be around my brother once or twice a year on two week vacations. Valentine & I were inseparable throughout the eighty two years. Val and I made many friends and those days will always be remembered that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold a heart to understand and it's those small happenings that make life so spectacular. When Val talked me into getting a computer we started emailing each other a number of times a week it was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Together we'd write about his working in the community. I'd spend long hours typing about how I spent reflective moments on the bank of the St. Johns river angling for tasty fish. Valentine would sometimes tell me of his fishing off the pontoon boat in Medicine Lake catching sunfish. Other memories in my thoughts are of Sandy & Val who would attend Sunday services together Val sitting in a pew with his daughter Shannon. I just couldn't get the thoughts out of my mind about the 'phone call telling me my brother had passed away. At that time I had returned home only a few days prior from a three week visit with my brother as I was aware he wouldn't be with the family many more days. I recall that I again caught a plane to be in Minnesota for his funeral. The morning of Valentine's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. That day looked like the way I felt I thought as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for the family. I was surprised to see the many friends Valentine had made filing into the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to Val who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers."
As we celebrate Val's memory it seems like only yesterday that we lost him although we feel cheated by his death we are grateful for the time that we were given. We have many great memories as Val's smile could light up a room. And his stories could fill it with laughter. Valentine brought us great joy. He remains on our minds & his presence is always felt. We will never get over the pain of losing him, but will be comforted by keeping his vibrant spirit alive. Val is missed more than anyone will ever know. I will remember by keeping him close to my heart. With much love, Brother Clarence and family
Clarence & Val 1929
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
July 6, 2008
Brothers - Clarence & Val 1929
In Loving Memory of Valentine Lauer. I kind of loved this image for the GUEST BOOK. A picture of Valentine & me taken a long time ago I still remember the day we were standing by the wash house next to the big house our Dad had covered with stone that he had hand cut and beautified the house with the stone work that can be seen on our home in St. Cloud looking thru the pictures in the guest book., I remember this snap shot was taken with a box camera of Valentine & myself. So many things I'd like to remember about the two of us, every now and then I guess my memory will reveal some things, Like a phone call during the days Val built his home by the lake. Val said he built around his cabin as he built his house so he had a place to sleep. Valentine removed the old cabin piece by piece that was still inside after the outside of his house was built. Val always was like our Dad in building something just like in this story. Tonight I'm writting about Val the day he decided to build himself a large pair of boat shoes and use them so he could walk out over deep water he told me and catch some sunfish. He knew when he was in the Navy during the war that boat shoes were in the Wars innovatory of weapons for our boys if needed to walk across rivers. He got to thinking why not make himself a simular pair of boat shoes, those boat shoes were made by the thousands , They were never used for unknown reasons, and scraped like other things after the war was over. Arthur our brother had told one of his sister's, I'm sure it was Lorraine or maybe it was Joey about that invention Val had on his mind and he did make them shoes. Our brother Arthur said Val was a dam fool to attach himself to balloons to keep himself from tipping over. That's what happened when Val first tried to walk on the water with his boat shoes straped to his feet. and he did tip over with his head under water before he could get out of those boat shoes, Val nearly suffocated, after that incidence Val got the bright idea of attaching balloons to hold himself up. Arthur and Ray Johnson were on the dock that day to see first hand when Val attached to balloons was going to again walk on water, instead they seen Val floating away gaining altitude in the air over the lake and they knew the hot summer sun shining on the balloons was expanding the balloons causing them to drift him higher. They knew Val was in trouble. Not having someone in a boat to rescue him from the lake if he crashed landed far from shore. Both Art and Ray were hollering at Val to cut the lines to free some of the balloons. Art said later in a phone call to me that Val could have killed himself and maybe this brother if I was the one to try out the floating shoes. I was always was with him to try out new things when we got together, this is the reason why. Valentine had planned to have his invention ready when I was up on a ten day vacation around the fourth of July that year and he planed to have me be first in trying it out. He didn't til me it was going to be like a hot air balloon ride, because he at that time didn't know that was going to happen. Luckily Val didn't have every thing ready when I was there around the 4th of July week. The leather shop that Val had arranged to make a harness had not finished making the harness to strap on me attached to big balloons so that I could try walking on water, It wasn't until after I left Minnesota to drive back to Florida that Val had every thing he needed to pull off his stunt. About three weeks later was the day I heard that brother of mine had the hell scared out of him when he realized he was up high floating in the air over Medicine lake harness to balloons, "Hindsight" what Val hadn't planned on was the balloons expanding as they got hot from the sun, lifting him high in the air and the boat shoes had fallen off his feet making a weight difference. Valentine did not have a way to come down except by stabbing three or four of the balloons with a knife he had on him which deflated the balloons, and that was one balloon or two balloons to many which caused him to came down pretty fast dropping him into the lake. After a long swim back and some wading in lake grass he did make it back to the dock from where his adventure started. Resting on the dock thinking about his daring ride instead of walking on water, I heard he couldn't stop laughing at his experience which lasted a long time making his stomack hurt, that's the way Valentine was he must have inherited that adrenalin rush from our Mother as that happened to our Mother & to me at seperate times. Sorry I couldn't attach the picture taken of another guy that perfected the same kind of balloon ride Val made more then 45 years before this guy he did over Medicine lake. The picture I seen of this guy floating over a lake, I wonder now if he was some where near or on the lake to see Val in those balloons, and decided to be a copy cat, maybe he picked up the balloons that Valentine cut loose when he was swimming to shore or it's possible he was told by someone like Ray about Val's air flight and decided to inprove what he saw. Val and I did do some dangerous things when we were young, if you don't mind reading long story's in the Legacy book I'll write some more story's so every one who reads the entries in the guest book will know more of some of things we were involved in. The only thing I regret is that after my Navy service I made my home in Florida and I wasn't around all my sisters and brothers except once a year during vacation times when we'd get together. I'm thankful for those many times we were able to get together & now I have more memories to talk about. That's the family things I've missed for 60 years. This weekend we celebrate a low-key Fourth with our Family here in Florida. Sure do miss the phone calls and emailing from Valentine specialy on Independance Day a yearly routine when we contacted each other. There will be No family barbecue, no fireworks. I did get together with my sons, Donnie, Bruce and Philip the 4th of July they came over to my house, we decided to eat out at a china restaurant to skip cooking in the humit weather outdoors. Mildred decided she would stay home to watch TV. Jacksonville celebrated the Fourth of July by watching the fireworks display over the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville which was beautiful, I guess one of my most memorable Fourth of July I remember was when I was stationed on a ship in the Pacific during World War II. We were at sea on July 4th and were allowed by our captain to a half day celebration. At noon the ship stopped and put out its boat boom and lowered rope ladders down the side of the ship. Everyone and I mean just about every one not standing watch or manning an important station on the ship went swimming. We had a small boat circling with men armed with rifles to shoot any sharks that might appear. Everyone would walk out on the boat boom and dive into the beautiful clear blue water. I remember that the water was more than a mile deep! No touching. We would swim back to the ship and climb up the rope ladders and run back out on the boom like the bunch of kids we were, and it reminded me of when Valentine and myself and some of our buddies before we joined the Navy would jump off the rocks at Grahams Quarry in St. Cloud located about four miles from our Dads home. The water depths at that Quarry was about one hundred feet deep and No touching the bottom there ether, it also was clear and we could see way down in the deep cold water. Aboard the ship after swimming, I remember we had a steak dinner. I was quite young at the time. It really struck me that I was doing something positive for my country. Every Fourth of July, I think about the other kids who were with me during my Navy hitch and wonder where they are now. I have truly been blessed to survived the war and been born in this great country. Reading the last article I wrote and put in the Legacy book, I hope it was interesting for Jim in the V.A. Lauer family & all his sisters and brothers. That reunion I had with my oldest brother Willard should have been interesting to all of you that read the guest book, it was the most wonderful time imaginable seeing and talking to my oldest brother that I had not seen for 6 years until after his release from the Japanese POW camp. When I told Val he was thrilled to get that news. Willard after spending a short time in the hospital we understood would be sent home on extended leave. That's what Val & I really joined the Navy for to see that our brother Willard would be going home it was going to make our Dad and Mother and sisters know their prayers were answered. Maybe next time I'll write a story about the home made air plane Willard made as a high school project, after he went into the Navy Val & I took over the plane, And that will be a story worth reading about. Thinking about my three brothers lately and able to tell the stories in the guest book has inspired me to write more in the guest book while I'm able to write, thinking it would be a good time to pass on more happening of Val and myself when we were growing up. Would you like to hear some of those stories? Suzanne, Valentine's daughter said she would and so did another daughter June. Two sons Mark and Scott haven' given me their input & may never unless someday when I again have a chance to come to Minnesota to see sisters Lorraine & Gen. Maybe we'll run into each other. Jim Lauer wrote the reason I haven't heard from them was Suzanne and her brothers don't have computer excess to read articles written and see photo's in the guest book. Until then I guess the recording in honor of their Dad that I've recorded in VCR tapes and DVD disks will have to be memories of what I wrote and recorded making them if they contacted me available for them that loved Valentine. It seems as though it was only yesterday that Valentine went away. Val still seem near he left behind so many pleasant memories, that we hold dear. In pictures we see his smile sometimes through many tears.
With loving thoughts, brother Clarence
Willard, Arthur Valentine & Clarence
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
June 30, 2008
These are picture's of the four Lauer brothers that served in the U.S. Navy during World War I I that I wrote my story about 6/30/2008
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
June 30, 2008
Memories in my story this Independence day will focus on what it means to me and what it meant to the Lauer veterans of World War I I which included all four brothers Willard, Arthur, Valentine and myself who were serving in the U.S. Navy. It means memories & thoughts of the wars, it's elderly veterans still among us. The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th,1776 is a testimonial to generations of Americans from years ago that we read about during our school years. In Valentine's Legacy book I've printed happenings of why Val and I joined the Navy soon after Japanese Imperial Navy bombed Pearl Harbor on the Island of Oahu. With our two oldest brothers, Willard and Arthur, already in the Navy we went in to do our part serving our country. Willard entered the Navy after high school graduation in 1934. He became a radioman and gunner in the Curtis's and Grumman two-seat fighter bombers flying off the carrier Lexington in the Pacific. When Japan bombed Hawaii and the Philippines on Dec 7, 1941 Arthur was also on another carrier in the Pacific. He had joined the Navy in 1937 and earned a rate of Aviation mechanic. He was also qualified as a gunner flying in dive bombers. Radioman Willard Lauer later was assigned to the Genesee, a sea going Tugboat left to it's own fighting devices in Manila Bay. With General Jonathan Wainwright surrender on Corregidor on May 6, 1942 The Genesee sustained so much damage from two Japanese destroyers the crew scuttled her and radioman Willard Lauer with a friend swam to Corregidor where they were captured by a Japanese squad to begin 42 months as a POW. He earned two Purple Hearts for wounds and a Bronze Star for valor. When Willard was released from a Japanese prison and was on his trip back to the U.S.A. he was taken to a hospital in Pearl Harbor close to where I was stationed on Ford Island. I heard some American POW's were on a plane that landed at our base and my commanding officer said a Lauer was on that plane then finding out it was my brother W. L Lauer. I was granted leave to visit with my brother at the hospital before he continued back to the mainland. During that never forgotten visit I caught him up on all the news of the family. He hadn't heard anything about our mother, father, sisters or us brothers while he was a prisoner. The good news that his three brothers survived the war which as you can understand all that news and seeing me made him extra happy especially hearing about our parents, his sisters & girlfriend was like icing on the cake which made his day. During that never forgotten day & night he told me of the days during the 42 months he was a prisoner. One of the stories he told me was when Pilipino guerrillas broke into a Japanese POW Camp one night in 1942 and tossed a pound of black pepper at Radioman Willard Lauer he said he did what he was told. His buddy by the name of Harralson, who I met at the hospital, insisted that he cook the black pepper and eat it as that's what I was told during my 1945 interview. Willard said it not only burned out the dysentery that about took his life, but the cooked black pepper burned about everything else in his gut. Dysentery was a fact of life and death for prisoners of war at cabanatuan after the Philippines fell to the Japanese Army early in world War I I. Radioman Lauer told me about the sweat, blood and tears he indured during his captivity. Prisoners were also plagued by malnutrition and their bodies resulting inability to fight infections.lived through that and 3 1/2 years as a prisoner in the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan. An additional 20 years in the Navy and then 30 years in retirement before cancer caused his death at age 79 on a Friday in Menio Park Veterans affairs Medical facility in California. I was lucky Willard had said many times. I said my brother earned his luck. Willard Leslie Lauer didn't talk much about the War after he came back to the states except when I was with him at the hospital in Pearl Harbor that's when he told me he weighed 165 pounds when he was captured and 92 pounds when freed. I had been with my youngest brother Valentine aboard the CVE 108 named the USS Kula Gulf and we experienced the radio address of President Truman stating Japan's unconditional surrender ending Japanese suppression and the many ordeals of World War I I. Americans paid a lions share of blood and death in the Pacific War beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese government. Today's generation may not be aware that the last year of the Pacific War from July 1944 to the time of the Japanese surrender cost the American Armed forces nearly two thirds of the total casualties suffered in the defeat of the Japanese. The tremendous loss of American lives must never be forgotten. Eleven thousand American POWs taken prisoner in the Pacific during World War I I died, Radioman Lauer and Harralson were among the 16,000 who survived. Besides crediting luck Willard Lauer also always said he survived because he was young and strong. I salute in memory all three of my brothers who served our nation from WW I I and the wars after until their retirement. The U.S. Flag has been flying on the flag pole at my home daily a sign of my patriotism, a symbol of freedom for the reason we Lauer boys served. I am proud of Veteran's Day. A day everyone remembering all Veterans celebrating another Memorial Day. I'm writing this story to reflect and express my deepest respect and gratitude to Courage, Bravery and Patriotism like my three brothers Willard, Arthur, and Valentine gave our country. Thanks to this Legacy book when people read the entries that's in this book they will be remembered. But "lest we forget"... we should take time now to honor their memories and the men & women that died defending their nation to ensure our precious freedom.
Clarence Lauer
June 24, 2008
Jim Lauer's wedding
Mark, Jim, & Scott Lauer
Clarence Lauer
June 24, 2008
SEE PHOTO: Jim Lauer's wedding, plus Mark, Jim, & Scott Lauer
Clarence William (Bill) Lauer
June 24, 2008
Another story written in loving memory of Valentine "Jay" Lauer of happenings in the life of Valentine that might be interesting to the V.A.Lauer family. I'm remembering the creek with water that flows along in his backyard. Val's son, Mark, had built a bridge that crossed over the water. Valentine decided to show the bridge to me on one of the last trips my brother had driven me over to see Mark's home. I don't recall hearing if Mark took after his Dad and loaded a section of the water with lots of rocks since that visit. Mark's Dad always loved hearing the sound of water passing over rocks. Valentine had manmade streams at both of his homes where he had flowing water running over rocks. Writing this story I was thinking of a special rock that Mark's Dad had placed in the waterfalls at his home in Maple Grove. The waterfalls at the Maple Grove home was connected to the garage to obtain more height at his home which was located at the top of a short hill which was important as Val wanted the flow of water to travel downhill for better sound effects . I had heard the waterfalls at the Maple Grove home was taken down after my brother died because the cost of water evaporation was expensive or another reason. Removing the waterfalls all the rocks were still some place on the property. I wondered if Valentine's sons had known the story about that special piece of a petrified tree that an elderly Indian pulled up from a lake north of Waban, Minnesota, Val and I saw that rock on a number of trips when we went to fish for big sunfish with our Uncle Adam Winter our Mother's brother. One day we talked that Indian out of his prized find swaping a "gallon of wine" for the petrified tree rock. Valentine after bringing the rock back to Medicine Lake placed that petrified rock slab at first in the home he had built on the shores of Medicine Lake. The stone was placed in the bar area of his lake home decorating a wall for people to see mounted there. After Val sold his home on Medicine Lake he carried it to the home he purchased in Maple Grove along with a number of other rocks of his collections over the years Some from our Dad's home in St. Cloud that Val received from our father. I'm sure Valentine at some time would have wanted some of his rock collection if the home was sold they'd be kept for memories in the Lauer family with Saundra's permission. Not many earthly things a son might want, but knowing how much Val loved stones all his life it would be something treasured for a memory. Val was around those rocks for years growing up and like his father before him had a fascination with stone work.
I was glad Jim read the information about the piece of petrified tree that was in a pile of rocks at Sandy's home after some of the stone work was taken out. There are some other rocks Val was proud to have he must have told his boys about I'm sure. If they ever decide to build something of importance in memory of Valentine those pieces of history would be nice to have in it for a subject to talk about. I wish now I could remember the whole story about that rock that 87 year old Indian told us about who owned it He did say he pulled it up from the bottom of the lake and over the years enjoyed telling people about the rock. He lived by the lake and had it by his cabin for years and wouldn't sell it to anyone until Val talked him into trading it to him for the gallon bottle of wine we had already opened while we were on the lake fishing after we finished fishing that day and were returning the rental boat. We had the gallon of Mogen-David wine that we picked up at the store we stopped at to get bait and tackle to use on our fishing trip that morning. Our Mother liked that kind of dark kosher Concord grape wine and it was her suggestion to treat her sister Amelia's husband Adam Winter if he caught the biggest fish from the lake on that fishing trip. Val & our mother with Adam Winter plus myself all were catching big sunfish that day some weighed 2 lbs plus and sunfish were biting very fast. We lost track on who caught the biggest fish, so we all were treated to the wine eventhough the gallon bottle of wine still looked full when we came off the lake. That day we counted over 400 sunfish in our catch we had to clean and divide up once we returned to Adam Winter's house. Heck I forget what our limit was supposed to be, but we all knew we had caught over our limits. We hated to toss any fish overboard while on the lake, but as sportsmen did toss some overboard still all the fish that were biting were extra big ones. We also were very lucky on that drive back from our fishing trip The reason we were lucky was we didn't get caught with all the fish we had in sacks in the trunk of my car. On the road back from fishing the game wardens had a road block set up checking all cars for fish catches. I happened to be driving and saw the roadblock ahead seeing a string of cars some cars with boats pulled over on both sides of the crossroads quite a distance ahead of us. We knew what those cars were being stopped for before we drove over the crest of the hill. The game wardens didn't see me slam on the brakes to turn around. Luckily we hadn't crossed over the crest of the hill, so they hadn't seen my car or they were much too busy checking the boats and cars already stopped. We quickly took another country road Adam was familiar with to go around that fishing trap feeling sorry for the people that got caught. Our Uncle Adam's son had warned us they had roadblocks set up on that road the day before and a lot of people fishing that day were caught and given heavy fines a reason I kept my eyes open watching for a roadblock. I must say we were all a little nervous in my car. That's why I said we were lucky we weren't caught. Every time we drove up to fish with our uncle we seemed to catch over our limit and always on those trips for a number of years we caught some of the biggest sunfish in the state while fishing from that lake. I wish I could remember the name of the lake to tell you. I have a lot of history I need to put together and make available for Val's family and friends. Memories live in thoughts and deeds that linger on and on. Loved And Missed By A Brother and Many Devoted Friends
Clarence Lauer
June 18, 2008
Do you want to see what Val & Clarence "Bill" Lauer looked like as kids? Be sure to view/play the photo album.
June Lauer (Broadhurst)
June 18, 2008
It has been very inspirational to read the stories from my Father's brother, sisters and friends. I feel like I am getting to know my Dad as a man, not just as a Dad.
I recently went to visit my family for two very happy weddings of my brother and nephew. My nephew just starting out at a young age in married life and his future family to come. Then my brother's Jim's wedding to a lovely lady. They met and dated many years ago and now they have decided to spend the rest of their lives together. It doesn't matter what age you are to do something that really makes you happy. I can tell that Jim is very happy. My Dad was right in saying to Jim to marry Margaret, it just took a number of years to get around to it!
I know my Dad, Mother and Sister Deb is smiling about his marriage. I am very grateful in having the opportunity to have very loving brothers and sisters and I thank my Dad and Mom for their gifts of life and love to all of us for so many years.
Brothers - Clarence & Val 1929
June 17, 2008
Val, Jim, Mark, Sue & families
June 15, 2008
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