Lauer, Michael, Shauni & Casi died 1991

LAUER, AMBROSE, BLUE, ONEAL

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 7/16/2011 at 22:09:34

SOURCE: Monona, Iowa MONONA BILLBOARD, September 18, 1991
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Local Monona, Iowa and West Union, Iowa residents are mourning the tragic car/bus accident that occurred on September 14, 1991 in Butler County, near Shell Rock, Iowa, that took the lives of three young children and left their soldier father in critical condition. Funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa on Wednesday, September 18 for little Michael Shawn Lauer, age 3 years and 1 month, Shauni Larisa Lauer, 1 year and 9 months, and Casi Marie Lauer, 9 months old, children of Gerald and Tammy (Ambrose) Lauer, who have been stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Burial for the three children was in the West Union, Iowa Cemetery. Casket bearers were Troy Mitchell, Todd Mitchell, Ricky Briggs, Keith Loomis, and Johnny Martin. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Blue and Marlyn Henderson.

Engineer Unit Specialist Gerald Lauer, age 23, formerly of West Union, Iowa, and the son of Russell and Shirley (Blue) Lauer of West Union, Iowa, was enroute from Fort Riley, Kansas to visit family members in West Union, Iowa and Monona, Iowa during a three week leave. The Lauer vehicle was eastbound on Highway 3 in Butler County, near Shell Rock, Iowa, when it veered to the left and across the center line, colliding with the westbound Waverly-Shell Rock School bus which was transporting 13 members of the Waverly-Shell Rock Volleyball Team and two coaches to a volleyball match in Webster City, Iowa. No one aboard the bus was seriously injured.

Gerald Lauer was taken by ambulance to the Allen Memorial Hospital where he was placed in the intensive care unit where he remains in critical condition. Mrs. Lauer is also in the Army and was on assignment in Arkansas at the time of the accident. She has since returned to Iowa to be with her family.

Michael Shawn Lauer was born August 23, 1988 and was baptized at Zion Lutheran church in West Union, Iowa on August 13, 1989. Shauni Larisa Lauer was born December 2, 1989. Casi Marie Lauer was born December 12, 1990. Michael had started talking and enjoyed playing with his Ninja Turtle toys. Shauni followed Michael about. Casi had endured repeated surgeries, but was a happy baby, always smiling.

Preceding the children in death and welcoming the little ones in heaven are their grandfather Robert Ambrose, and their great-grandparents, Clarence Lauer, Elmer Blue, John Ambrose, and Clayton and Lucille O'Neal.

They are survived by their parents, Gerald and Tammy (Ambrose) Lauer; their grandparents, Linda (O'Neal) Ambrose, Russell and Shirley (Blue) Lauer; great-grandparents, Clara Lauer, Marie Ambrose, and Mildred Blue, in addition to many aunts, uncles, and cousins. May God Bless the memory of Michael, Shauni, and Casi. They will always remain in our hearts.