Frances Sauerer

Frances T. "Fran" Sauerer, age 85, of Albany, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, September 12, 2011 at her apartment in Albany.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 19 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with Rev. Michael Naughton, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the Seven Dolors gathering area in Albany. Parish prayers will be at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Christian Mothers at 6 p.m. and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 482 at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the gathering area.

Frances Theresa Gasperlin was born October 7, 1925 in Krain Township, Stearns County to Michael and Barbara (Rademacher) Gasperlin. On December 2, 1944 she married Melvin A. Sauerer in Macon, GA. Following Melvin's discharge from the army, the couple moved back to Albany. Fran worked at the Albany Hotel for many years and at the Albany Hospital for 17 years until her retirement in 1986. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, word finds, and going out to eat with her sister, Tre. Fran will always be remembered as one who never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She always mailed cards to her family and friends on their special day. One of her favorite activities was to fill in calendar dates with anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, etc. and give the calendars to family members to remind everyone of someone's special date.

Fran was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany, Christian Mothers, and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 482. She was also a member of the Pioneer Club where she was a past Pioneer Queen.

Survivors include her children, Michael (Pat) Sauerer of Avon, Tim (Mary) Sauerer of Albany, Mark (Kathi) Sauerer of Sartell, and Lori (Tom) Krebs of Melrose; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Valerius "Larry" Gasperlin of Alexandria, Theresa "Tre" Gasperlin of Albany, Julian "Curly" Gasperlin of East Grand Forks, and Marie Pitzen of St. Paul; and sister-in-law, Rita E. Gasperlin of Albany.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Melvin Sauerer on November 17, 2000; infant son, Thomas Sauerer; sister and brothers, Margaret Meyer, Jerome "Jerry" Gasperlin, and Joseph Gasperlin; brothers-in-law, Jack Pitzen and Fred "Fritz" Meyer; sisters-in-law, Irene Gasperlin and Rita I. Gasperlin.

Serving as casket bearers will be Ryan Sauerer, Tom Sauerer, Paul Sauerer, Justin Krebs, Tom Krebs, and Scott Dirkes. Cross bearer will be Holli Sauerer and scripture bearer will be Crissy Krebs. Readers will be Krista Sauerer and Alyssa Krebs. Honorary bearers will be Kimberly McLellan, Katie Dirkes, Lindsey Sauerer, Kelsey Sauerer, Holli Sauerer, Alyssa Krebs, Krista Sauerer, and Crissy Krebs.