Lawrence Kaas

Deacon Lawrence N. Kaas, age 84, of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 14, 2018, at his home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, September 21 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating and Rev. James Statz and Rev. Andrew Marthaler concelebrating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Sauk Centre.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 20 at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, September 21 at the church. Parish Prayers will be at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Lawrence Nicholas Kaas was born in Sauk Centre, Minnesota on December 9, 1933 to Ann (Hoffman) and Louis Kaas. He met the love of his life, Agnes (Schluender) Kaas on a bus to Moorhead and they were married on April 12, 1955 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osakis. They settled first in Alexandria, Minnesota and later moved to Lawrence's hometown of Sauk Centre, where they would raise their seven children. He opened his shop, and over the years was known for fixing first typewriters and office machines, then sewing machines, canvas work, woodworking, clocks and even violins. He was known for his love for Agnes and family, generous heart, welcoming hospitality, clever "fix-it" skills and a passion for always learning. He felt there was nothing he couldn't create himself, and he passed this spirit on to his children and grandchildren. Never one to sit idle, Lawrence often told his family that he wanted his last day of work to be his last day on earth; and he left this earth with the blessing of the Church and repaired clocks on his workbench.

Lawrence's faith was a large part of his life. He was ordained a Deacon for the Diocese of St. Cloud in 1987 and served faithfully at Our Lady of the Angels Church until his death. The last Deacon ordained by Bishop Speltz. Lawrence was one of the original four members of the Divine Mercy group who promotes Divine Mercy devotion in the Diocese. He was also a member of Bishop Busch Council #4863 Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include, seven children, Tereasa and Eric Simonson of California, Catherine and Brian Gill of Sauk Centre, Joseph and Laura Kaas of New Brighton, Lucy and Sterling Schwieger of St. Cloud, Francis and Lorri Kaas of Ramsey, Leo Kaas of Burnsville and Lawrence and Amanda Kaas of Milaca; 19 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; sisters: twin sister Evelyn Goerdt of Sauk Centre, Virginia and Donny Toenies of Sauk Centre and Sally Ley of St. Cloud.

He was preceded in death by his wife Agnes, his parents Louis and Ann Kaas, infant granddaughter and two brothers-in-law.

Serving as casket bearers will be Joseph, Francis, Leo, Lawrence, Nicholas, and Brandon Kaas. Serving as cross bearer will be Shawn Kaas and scripture bearer will be Sterling Schwieger. Mass servers will be Cody Greggory, Jeremiah Jordan, and Michael Duubeck. Readers will be Lorri Kaas and Lucy Schwieger. Gift bearers will be Roberta Kightlinger, Amanda Kaas, Emily Kaas, Sara McWilliams, Deborah Gill, and Anna Kaas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Divine Mercy Devotion at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.