Lorraine Tauer

Lorraine Dorothy Pelzel Tauer, age 98, died peacefully early Friday morning, January 10, 2025. She had lived in Morgan, MN, spending her last two years at Gil-Mor Haven Assisted Living and Gil-Mor Nursing Home in Morgan. 

Lorraine was born to Augusta Mary Engel Pelzel and Clement Pelzel on July 11, 1926. She married Melvin Tauer on April 6, 1948. They farmed southeast of Morgan on the Tauer family farm for 28 years, moving to Morgan in 1976.

Lorraine and Mel had five children, all living: Marleen (Jack) Hartjes, Springfield, MN; Dale (Janet Mosman), Spearfish, SD and Punta Gorda, FL; Doreen (Rod – Deceased) Snyder, Morgan; Debra (Mike) Thronson, Babb, MT; and Jerry (Megan Flaherty) Tauer, Stacy, MN.

Lorraine is preceded in death by sisters and brothers: Roman, Ed, Leo, Erwin, Leona Pelzel Braun Lowinski, Art, Ben, Lucille Pelzel Helget, Irene Pelzel Meyer, Melvin, and Marion Pelzel Gent Muller. She is survived by 11 grandchildren and one step-grandchild, 19 great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren and two step-great-great-grandchildren.

She led an active life as a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and participant and leader in community organizations and activities. She was president of Friends of Gilfillan and became an expert tour guide of the Gilfillan Estate. She was active in the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and in the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party as chairwoman, delegate to state conventions, and election judge.

Lorraine’s long list of hobbies includes painting, which she took up after moving to Morgan; horses and riding trails into her 70’s; traveling with Mel to Mexico, Alaska, Europe and other places; 4-wheeling, hiking, and fishing; making stained glass with Mel, woodburning, and other crafts. She had an avid interest in gravesites and genealogy. She enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens and learning the names of the birds that flocked to her feeders.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Morgan with a private family burial later this spring. A visitation will be held one hour prior to her service from 10 - 11 a.m. at the church. 

The Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Services of Redwood Falls and Morgan are in charge of the arrangements. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com.

In lieu of flowers Lorraine would prefer memorials to Friends of Gilfillan PO Box 432, Morgan, MN. 56266

 Blessed be her memory.