Donald Lauer

Donald Keith Lauer, age 76, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Monday, January 18, 2021, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, IA.

Keith was born July 9, 1944, in Fort Dodge, IA, the youngest of three boys, to Donald and Mary (Dean) Lauer. He graduated from Gowrie High School in 1964 where he played football.

In 1974, David Anderson, Charlotte Bancroft’s brother, who is a cousin of Diane’s, asked Keith if he would like to go on a blind date. He agreed and their first date was to Diane’s home in Des Moines, where she made dinner for him. After dating for a year, they were married on December 6, 1975, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, IA. Their honeymoon took them to Oklahoma City, where they attended the Rodeo National Finals, which fit Keith since he was a calf roper himself.

Keith and Diane lived in Fort Dodge from 1975 – 1982. Keith worked as a laborer, working for Bush Hog in Fort Dodge. He was also a van driver for the County Care Facility. When Bush Hog closed, they moved to Anita, IA, where they farmed with Diane’s parents for six years. In 1988, they moved to Creston for a year while Diane attended college, and Keith worked for the Creston Sale Barn and as a general farm hand. In 1989 they moved to Atlantic. While still being a farm hand, Keith worked for the Atlantic Cemetery from 1997 – 2012, when he retired.

Keith was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic. He loved to travel to Texas and Oklahoma to attend rodeo events and connect with friends. Keith loved to read in his spare time and watch rodeo events on the RFDTV Channel.

Keith is survived by his wife Diane of 45 years; brother, Robert Lauer of Lehigh, IA; and nephew, Patrick Lauer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Mary, and a brother, Eugene Lauer.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 22, 2021, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, IA, with Rev. Kyle McBee officiating. Following the funeral, burial will take place at Brighton Township Cemetery in Marne, IA.

An open visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with family present from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Atlantic, IA. Masks and social distancing will be enforced while in attendance of the services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family in honor of Keith and will be designated at a later date.

Arrangements and are being handled by the staff at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa.