Kathleen “Tootsie” Lauer, 81, of Bloomington, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024 at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 1:00 PM with a time of gathering from Noon – 1:00 PM at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside, and Tootsie’s granddaughters will act as urn bearers. Livestreaming will be available at stmichael-pl.org and by clicking on the “Mass and Services” tab. A reception will follow at the VFW in Prior Lake. Please wear bright colors in tribute to Tootsie’s vibrant personality. She will be laid to rest at the Bloomington Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be distributed by Tootsie’s family in her honor.
Kathleen Mary Dineen was born to Edward and Catherine (Guidinger) Dineen on June 19, 1942, in Cedarburg, WI. Kathy was the youngest of seven children. She attended Cedarburg High School and made many lifelong friends. Following high school, Kathy attended Mount Mary University in Wisconsin where she earned a degree in education.
As a young woman, she met the love of her life, Ervin Lauer. Kathy and Erv exchanged wedding vows on July 3, 1965. Their marriage was blessed with many happy years and two wonderful children, Lynn and Brian. Kathy and Erv settled in Bloomington to raise their family. Kathy worked as a teacher for Bloomington Public Schools for many years. She touched many lives as a teacher and enjoyed the years she overlapped teaching in the same school with her daughter.
Tootsie loved to have fun, and she brought it wherever she went. She was a strong willed woman and always spoke her mind. Kathy loved her years boating on the St. Croix River, camping in the Wisconsin Dells and spending time at the family cabin on Grand Lake. She cherished her girls trips with her many friends. Tootsie also enjoyed watching football and cheering on the local WI & MN teams. Tootsie was very proud of her Irish heritage. She and Erv hosted a big St. Patty’s Day party every year. Kathy had many hobbies and interests, but the most important things in her life were her faith and family. She especially loved being a grandma to Madie and Gabby.
Kathy was a bright and vibrant woman. She will be greatly missed and always remembered by her loving family. She is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Dawn Shattuck) Olson; granddaughters, Madie and Gabby Olson; siblings, Patrick Dineen (Lanie), Elizabeth Taylor and Ruth Thorn. Kathy was greeted in Heaven by her beloved husband, Erv Lauer; son, Brian Lauer; parents, Edward & Catherine Dineen; siblings, Edward Dineen, Dick Dineen and Joan Siegler.
