Leon Dennis Tauer

Leon D. Tauer, age 94 of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota died on August 11, 2026, at his home. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye with a Prayer Service at 3:45 p.m. prior to the visitation. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church – North Entrance with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 10:15 a.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. and will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye. The clergy will be Fr. Sam Perez. Interment will be at Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye. Military honors will be provided by Sleepy Eye Honor Guard. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Leon Dennis Tauer was born on January 11, 1932, to Clarence and Ida (Stadick) Tauer during a powerful blizzard. Anticipating the snowstorm, Dr. Goblirsch stayed at the family farm until Leon arrived. Leon would ultimately begin and end his life on that very same farm, passing away peacefully at home on August 11, 2026. He was a true farm boy at heart: planting and harvesting crops, milking cows, raising hogs, feeding chickens, and deeply enjoying the life he created with his dear wife of 70 years, Lorraine (Helget).

As a young boy, Leon balanced farm chores and pasture baseball with his education at Mulligan and St. Mary’s Schools. He completed the eighth grade, excelling particularly in mathematics. In 1953, Leon was drafted into the Korean War. While home on leave, he attended a dance at The Orchid Inn, where he met Lorraine. They were wed on June 12, 1956, and together they raised their family on the Tauer farm.

Leon’s love for baseball was a defining thread throughout his life. He passed this passion down to his children, Jeane and Loren, who hold fond memories of learning just as much about the game from their father as they did about farming. Leon's baseball pursuits eventually took him from the pastures to the Leavenworth Orioles, where he played from 1948 to 1968. His impressive power on the field earned him the nickname “Spank,” as he could easily spank a ball out of the park. He became known as “the last swinging player” of that era, outliving all his former teammates. Leon later transitioned to playing softball for Leavenworth, but eventually found a new passion in golf, making Wednesdays his personal "Holy Days." His actual holy days were spent in deep devotion to his faith, attending Mass regularly, and supporting his community through the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.

If you knew Leon, you knew he loved farming, family, and good conversation. He was often found driving through the countryside, checking the crop fields, attending local ballgames, playing cards at his morning coffee spot, or stopping in at the bank, where he enjoyed visiting with all the employees. Sharing a can of mixed nuts and having proud conversations about his grandkids or the weather—that was Leon.

Leon is survived by his beloved wife, Lorraine Tauer; his daughter, Jeane Havemeier (David); his son, Loren; his grandsons, Ryan Tauer (Anna) and Joey Tauer (Rachel); his granddaughters, Stacie Havemeier (Marshall Gallagher) and Stefanie Havemeier (Peter Coborn); and his great-grandsons, Leo, Nolan, Gabe, Rudy, James, Carson, and Brody Tauer, and Sullivan Gallagher; brothers-in-law, Artie (Annie) Helget, Rollie Forstner; sisters-in-law, Ardelle (Helget) Domeier, Luann (Helget) Moldan; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Ida Tauer; his parents-in-law, Arthur and Louisa (Rothmeier) Helget; his sister, Lenora Schumacher; his brothers-in-law, Marvin Schumacher, Laverne “Satch” Helget, Leon “The Dude” Helget, Vince Domeier, and Fred Moldan; his sisters-in-law, Arlis (Helget) Forstner, LaDonna (Heiderscheidt) Helget, and Janet (Stadick) Helget; and his nieces, Nancy Helget and Beth (Forstner) DuChene.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye.