Joseph Lauer
October 25, 2021
Joe Lauer, a.k.a. “Hose”, “Hozer”, “Hozman”, 62, passed away on October 25, 2021, from metastasized esophageal cancer. Friends and family will gather to celebrate a life well lived on Saturday, October 30 from 11 am – 2 pm at the VFW Post 9662 (1309 NE 66th Avenue in Des Moines).
Joe was born in Creston, Iowa on July 19, 1959 to Norman and Carolyn (Kepley) Lauer. He graduated from Creston High School in 1978, where he was a star athlete in both baseball and basketball. Joe also enjoyed fishing, hunting, water skiing, and climbing. After High School, Joe enrolled at Southwestern Community College, where he would earn his Associates Degree.
Joe spent the majority of his professional career at Norwest/Wells Fargo Financial, in which he spent 23 years, before retiring at the ripe old age of 53-1/2. Throughout Joe’s adult life, he enjoyed a number of activities, including playing softball, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, boating at the Lake of the Ozarks, riding his Harley motorcycle, hanging out at the Carney Tap, watching old Westerns, and spending time with his family and friends. He never met a stranger and loved telling stories and reminiscing. Joe also fell in love with the game of golf, highlighted by a hole-in-one at Woodland Hills Golf Course (hole #2).
Joe is survived by his wife, caregiver and the love of his life, Angie (Rothell) Lauer of Ankeny, Iowa; two sons, Matt (Tamara) Lauer, granddaughter Madison and grandson Paxton of Des Moines, Iowa and Cory (Shannon) Lauer and grandsons Jack and Jameson of Phoenix, Arizona; sister Candace Kitselman of Emporia, Kansas, brother James (Ann) Lauer of Morton, Illinois, brother-in-law Kevin Schroeder of Urbandale, Iowa, his in-laws, Kirk and Cheryl Rothell of Waxahachie, Texas, sisters-in-law, Amy (Nick) Taylor of Waxahachie, Texas, and Brenda (Barry) Debor of Katy, Texas, his adorable Boston Terriers Darby and Katie (named after his favorite Actor John Wayne), and many nieces, nephews, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, his brother Tom, and his sister Nancy.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Jan Franko, Dr. Magdy Elsawy, his Cancer Care Navigator Deana Kerkove, and all of the nurses and staff at Mercy Hospital and Mercy Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made in Joe’s memory, to the VFW Post 9662 or Easter Seals Camp Sunnyside, both on NE 66th Avenue, Des Moines. Both of these organizations were near and dear to his heart.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
The Hose knows wherever he goes…
Lori Kissell
11/08/2021
Matt & Cory and families - So sorry for the loss of your Dad. He will be missed by many. RIP Joe!
Joyce and Larry Thomsen
10/30/2021
We were so sorry to hear of your loss! Joe was a fun guy to talk to and will be missed. You're in our thoughts!
Jenni Robey (McKee)
10/29/2021
I'm so sorry for your loss, Angie. I will always remember our fun times and laughter at Carney Tap with Joe.
Rita (Thompson)Wolfe
10/28/2021
Sorry for your loss. Ive known Joe since he was young. Our dads graduated from school together and our parents got together and played cards when we were younger. Norm delivered gas to my dads gas station in Orient. Lots of memories. Our sincere condolences, Rita and Mike Wolfe
Margaret Turk
10/28/2021
I have known Joe since he was a young boy and he was always special. His mom, Carolyn and I spent countless hours sitting in lawn chairs watching Joe play baseball. He was a great pitcher.. He was a great father too and raised two great boys. I am so sad that he had to have such a cruel disease and suffer so much. He was so lucky to find the love of his life and get to spend his last years with her. Our love and prayers go out to the whole family who will miss him so much!.. Chris sends his love also..
Doug Lang
10/28/2021
I had the privilege of growing up with Joe and doing all the awesome things small town would allow us. We played sports, fished, and hunted any time we could. Throught high school we sat next to each other for assemblies and other functions so we added our own taste to everything. Condolences to hi is family and RIP Joe.
Christine
10/28/2021
Angie and boys I am sorry for your loss, but know Joe lived a full and happy life. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Christine Goodrich (Blaine)
Tim Leonard
10/28/2021
Creston High school Class of 1978
Rest In Peace Joe. My sincere condolences to the family. He was truly, one of THE best. May God Bless his soul.
Nindy Coles
10/28/2021
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Mark Scott
10/27/2021
Words can't describe how much Joe was loved by many and the stories and laughter he provided so many of us on the softball field and drinking afterwards. As I ate lunch with him just a few weeks back he was telling me about Angie's new desire for camping and how well the boys were doing. He loved his family! Thoughts and prayers to all of you and thanks for sharing Joe with all of us.. RIP Hoser!
Tammy Lauer
10/27/2021
Sorry for your loss my prayers are with you all. I guess now birdman can really fly. God bless.
Carol & Mike Holmes
10/27/2021
Thoughts and prayers in the days ahead for Angie & the family. Joe fought the fight and is in Gods loving arms now
Dave and Lori Morgan
10/27/2021
We are going to miss him so much Carneys will not be the same without him but he will always be there with us. You fought a good fight and we have so many good memories to hold in our hearts through this tough time.
Kim Taylor
10/27/2021
So very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Angie, and your family. Joe will be missed dearly.
Dan Dolan
10/27/2021
So sorry Angie and family, R.I.P.!🙏🙏🙏