Le Mars, Iowa – Joseph L. Sauer, 84, of Le Mars passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at home, surrounded by family. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. Joseph’s Church in Le Mars. Father Kevin Richter and Father Timothy Hogan will concelebrate Mass. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Granville, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2017 at All Saints Catholic - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Le Mars. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will take place at 5:00 p.m. with a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Wednesday. Military Honors conducted by American Legion Wasmer Post #241.Burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Granville, IA. Pallbearers will be Kiel Huntoon, Matthew Huntoon, Jacob Ruiz, Adam Sauer, Benjamin Sauer, Nicholas Sauer, and Michael Sauer.

Joseph Lawrence Sauer was born on December 31, 1932 in Granville, Iowa, the son of Joseph H. and Emma (Penning) Sauer. He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1951. Joe enlisted in the United States Army and served from December of 1951 to November of 1955 as a military policeman stationed at Camp Des Loges in Paris, France.

Joseph and Mary Louise Muehl were united in marriage on September 23, 1954 in the chapel at Camp Des Loges. Following Joe’s military service, the couple returned to the United States and made their home on a farm near Granville, Iowa. In 1968, they moved to Le Mars, Iowa and Joe took a position with the USDA as a federal food inspector. He worked as an inspector until his retirement on January 2, 1995.

Joe was an active member of All Saints Catholic Parish-St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. In earlier years, he served as the choir director at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville. He also had a position on the Floyd Valley Hospital Board of Trustees from 1976-1999, having served as its Chairman for 20 years. Joe was a member of the Le Mars Sertoma Club and earned the Service to Mankind Award. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. In his spare time, Joe enjoyed fishing, woodworking, dancing with Mary Louise and playing cards.

Grateful to have shared his life are his seven children and their spouses, Sandra and Pat Gaydusek of Papillion, NE; Timothy and Sandy Sauer of Scottsdale, AZ; Jeanine and Dave Huntoon of Papillion, NE; Lori and Adolfo Ruiz of Papillion, NE; Luke and Cindi Sauer of Elkhorn, NE; Christopher and Debbie Sauer of Henrietta, TX and Thomas and Teresa Sauer of Le Mars, IA; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joan and Tom Leonard of Fridley, MN and Kay and Rich DeLozier of Bloomington, MN; brothers, Jim and Sue Sauer of Omaha, NE, Bob Sauer of Kingsley, IA and Richard and Rita Sauer of Primghar, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Louise; his parents, Joseph and Emma Sauer; a granddaughter, Kelly Taylor; sisters, Carol and Ramona; brothers, Donald, Gerald and Mark.

Memorials in Joe’s name may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland.