Toni Lauer

Lauer, Toni
(Porto)
Kaukauna
Age 54

Toni received her wings surrounded by people she loved on Thursday November 16, 2006. She was born March 26, 1952, in Neenah, Wisconsin.

Toni celebrated her life with her best friend and childhood sweetheart, Greg, her husband of thirty-seven years. She loved and was devoted to her children, her daughter Kay and son-in-law Dan Schmidt (New London), her son Ben and daughter-in-law Jamie Lauer (Kaukauna). The sparkle in her life were her four grandchildren, Carly and Justin, Ashlee and Bradley, whom she adored.

Toni treasured her mother-in-law Betty Lauer (Appleton) along with her brothers and sisters, Marty Porto (Neenah) and special friend Judy, Edie and Ken Dickrell (Appleton), Greg Porto (Caritas of Alabama), George and Barb Porto (Waupaca), Mikie Ryder and special friend Jim (Menasha), and Ceal and Jim Tesch (Neenah), and Greg’s brothers and sisters Leon and Sue Lauer (Menasha), Terri Wankey (Appleton), Patti Lauer (Appleton), Norb and Karen Lauer (Appleton), and John and Anne Lauer (Menasha).

Toni cherished the time with each of her many nieces and nephews, her cousins, her dear friend Faye, and her many good friends and neighbors. Toni had a very special bond with her lung twin, Lindie.

She was met in Heaven by her parents, Irene and Anthony Porto, her sister Mary, her brother Jeff, her father-in-law Norbert Lauer, her sister-in-laws Jo Porto, Loretta Porto, Mary Vandeyhey, and Kathy Knuijt.

Toni took pride in the business that she and Greg had built together, Skid and Pallet Service, Menasha, where she managed the office for over 30 years until she became ill. Toni always found time to visit with each and every person who called or came in.

Toni loved her family unconditionally, always forgiving, never judging, always including, never excluding. She was the glue that held our family together. Toni had a very special gift, no matter who she was with she made you feel like you were the most important person in her life. She was everyone’s best friend. She touched the lives of everyone she met. Toni had an emotional honesty, an unrelenting faith in people, and an endless compassion for all.

Through the generosity of a grieving family, Toni began an incredible journey when she was given the Gift of Life with a lung transplant, her little bag of gold. She used that extra year to teach us all how to live, love, and die. She wanted dearly to watch her grandchildren grow up, to take one more ride on her Mule through the woods, to dance one more dance.

We found that when we lost our hope for her recovery, love was left, lots and lots of love.

‚ÄúThe sweetest people are those closest to God. Above that, those who even turn their sufferings into blossoms of love, open up the Garden of Paradise.‚Äù — Your loving brother, Greg.

‚ÄúToni, Throughout my life, you have been my rock, my sweet sister, my confidant, my hero, my very best friend. I will miss your voice, your laughter, and all the quirky little things about you, that made you,‚Ķ.you. You will live forever in my heart. Until we meet again….‚Äù –Ceal

‚ÄúEveryone says that lives will end, people really just get their wings and a shining halo and set off toward Heaven.‚Äù — Carly

The funeral liturgy will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 20, 2006 at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer St, Kaukauna with Fr. Jack Mullarkey officiating. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Sunday, November 19, from 4:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Kaukauna.

“The family thanks Toni’s extended family at University Hospital Madison for the love, care, and tears they have shared with us. Toni and Greg would like to thank Dr. Love, the amazing transplant team, pulmonary doctors, surgeons, coordinators, nurses, respiratory therapists, and all the UW staff, too many to mention. Their dedication and love will never be forgotten. Together, we made it to the “Super Bowl”- in the end, we simply ran out of time and lost the game. Toni, I will ALWAYS love you!!!”

Your biggest cheerleader, Greg.

FARGO FUNERAL HOME
400 West Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna 766-6200