Michael G. Tauer age 73 of Burnsville.
On August 18, 1938 in Sleepy Eye, MN, Michael George was born to the parents of Martin and Theresa (Sturm) Tauer. The second of seven children, Mike grew up with four brothers and two sisters in Sleepy Eye. Being raised on the family farm meant many daily adventures for Mike and his siblings. In his younger years, he attended a one-room country school, and later graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Sleepy Eye in 1956.
After enlisting in 1956, Mike proudly served in the United States Navy as an electrical repairman, until his honorable discharge in 1959. The day after returning from the Navy, Mike went on a blind date and met the love of his life, Sandra Fluegge. They dated for three years, and on a beautiful day, September 8, 1962, Mike and Sandra exchanged wedding vows at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm, MN. After moving around a lot when first married, Mike and Sandra settled down in Burnsville. They were blessed with three children, Darren, Ronald and Sharla. After getting his family started he later returned to school to earn his Bachelors Degree.
After 30 years at Xerox, Mike retired as a manager. After his initial retirement he began a second career in the import/export industry.
Mike especially loved traveling with family and friends, creating lifetime memories with trips throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and also Europe. He especially enjoyed many cruises throughout the world. In his spare time, Mike was an avid reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles, watching westerns, and always had a trivia fact to share. He always had a project, whether he was working on something for his own household or helping others. He also loved cheering on the Vikings and Twins.
Mike relished being a grandpa. He was the grandchildren’s biggest fan at their sporting events, plays and competitions. Mike loved life. A man with a positive outlook and an eternal optimist, Mike was a loving husband, a loyal dad and a clever and witty grandpa. All of us will miss his knowledge and sense of humor.
His faith helped him become the man he was. He was always involved with the church including many years serving on the Church Council and Board of Elders.
At the age of 73, God took Mike home to heaven to be with his Savior and Lord surrounded by his family on the early evening of Friday, Nov 4, 2011. We thank God for His many blessings during Mike’s life and especially during this past year as he fought a courageous battle with cancer.
Mike will be deeply missed by his wife of 49 beautiful years, Sandra; children, Darren (MaryJo) Tauer of Prior Lake, Sharla (Bruce) Norlander of Bloomington; grandchildren, Jacob, Kristina, Ashley (Jason), Chad, Keaton, Alexsandra, Joseph; daughter-in-law, Lu Ann (Michael) Stone of Shakopee; siblings, Claudia (Bryan) Klages of Good Thunder, Tim (Lois) Tauer of Sleepy Eye, Connie Tauer of New Ulm, Tom (Mary) Tauer of Sleepy Eye, Kevin (Viviann) Tauer of Edina, Mark (Jeanne) Tauer of Sleepy Eye; brothers and sisters-in law, Arlene (Roger) Altmann of New Ulm, Ken (Christine) Fluegge of New Ulm, John (LeAnna) Fluegge of New Ulm, many nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and devoted friends. His son, Ronald Tauer; parents, Martin and Theresa; parents-in-law, Martin and Harriet Fluegge precede Mike in death.
The visitation will be on Tuesday, November 8 from 4-8 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee and also one hour prior to the service at church. The Celebration of Life Service will be on Wednesday, November 9 at 11 a.m. at Bloomington Lutheran Church 9350 Portland Ave. S, Bloomington. Pastor Scott Spaulding will officiate. Mike will be laid to rest at Valley Cemetery in Shakopee, MN.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Shakopee Chapel, serves the Tauer family with honor, care and compassion.
