Julius DeSaer

Julius Joseph DeSaer was born July 26, 1921, in Lyon County, to Camiel and Julienne (Strubbe) DeSaer. The family lived in a few places before moving to a farm near Green Valley where Julius grew up. He was baptized, received first communion and confirmed at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley. Julius was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Aleutian Islands during World War II. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to farm. On October 19, 1949, he was united in marriage to Mary Bakker at St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler. The couple farmed and raised their family near Ghent. Julius was proud of his Belgian heritage and enjoyed playing rolle bolle. He also enjoyed farming, playing cards and spending time with his family. Julius died Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. He is survived by his wife Mary, of Marshall; children, Carol Kaiser of Lakeville, Linda DeSaer (Dean Thorson) of Minneapolis, Richard (Ruth) DeSaer of Sleepy Eye, Marilyn (Greg) Labat of Marshall, Don (Phyllis) DeSaer of Courtland, MN, Diane DeSaer of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Christopher (Holly) Kaiser, Sandra ( Jared) Landin, Deanna Thorson, Erica Thorson, Jason Baures, Kristeen Swift, Alisa DeSaer, Tyler DeSaer, Jeremy Labat, Adam (Erin) Labat, Kyle Labat, Bridget DeSaer, Amber DeSaer, Cassie DeSaer, Nikki DeSaer; great-grandchildren, Aaron, Tanner, Rachel, Lucas, Sydney, Ethan, Zachary, JaDi, Jon, Jewelisa, Shelby and Charlie; and one sister, Bernice Minnehan. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jerome, Dennis and Walter; sisters, Annie VanHauwaert and Margaret VanMaldegham and great-grandson Ray Labat.