Chad P. Lauer, 45 of Sterling passed away suddenly from COVID on Thursday, May 20, 2021. There will be a memorial for family and close friends later.

Chad was born on October 20, 1975 to Becki J. Henry and Pete Lauer Jr. This was the happiest day of my life. Chad went to Caliche school through the sixth grade and started seventh grade at Sterling Middle School and graduated from Sterling High School in 1994.

While in high school, Chad was a member of the Future Farmers of America. He earned many awards with the FFA including getting to make a trip to Kansas City, Missouri and to be awarded the American FFA degree. He continued onto NJC, graduating with a degree in Business Management.

Chad was determined to earn his own gas money and at the age of 16 he applied for a job at Wheelers farm and ranch and was hired that same day. After some time, Wheelers became Country General and at the age of 22 he was promoted to the managers position, which he proudly took very seriously. After some time, Country General closed and while he was deciding what he wanted to do, Owen Palm reached out to him and asked if he would consider opening and managing the first Mercantile Farm store in Scottsbluff, NE.

Soon this store was up and running and he was transferred to Brighton, CO to open and manage the second Mercantile Farm and Ranch. After working there for two years Chad made the decision to move back to Sterling and became partners with his parents running Frontier Fabricating L.L.C.

In 2015, Chad purchased the old Bauer's market and built River Station which he was very proud of, and he was proud of his employees, making sure every customer was told "Thank you" for shopping at River Station. The very most important and happiest day of his life was August 21, 2008, on this day his twins Caylee and Carson were born and there couldn't be a more proud, devoted, loving Daddy. Caylee and Carson adored their Daddy and will miss him greatly.

Chad had a big heart and such a caring way, he was a wonderful son and the best Daddy and a good friend to many and would help anyone when he could, never asking anything in return. He loved watching Caylee and Carson ride their horses, 4 wheelers, swimming, sledding, whatever they were doing he was there to watch them, laugh with them and love them. They were his pride and joy.

He will be very sadly missed but always remembered. He made us so very proud and honored to be a part of his life. We will carry him in our hearts every day.

Chad is survived by his children Caylee and Carson Lauer, his mother Becki Dick and stepdad Dave Dick and his father Pete Lauer Jr. and stepmother Barb Lauer; half-sister Naomi Tooley and family; half-brother Casey Lauer and family; grandma June Lauer; aunts and uncles Sharon and Jerry Parsons, Monte and Loretta Henry, Brett Henry, Darlene Briggs, Judy Adamson, Deb and Ron Egbert, Val and Stan Frank and Ann and Gene Matthies; close friends Iris, Dave and Thomas Clark, Mike and Paula Lechman and Jim and Janice Schneider and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Chad was preceded in death by his grandparents Cecil and Mildred Henry and Pete Lauer Sr.

The family would greatly appreciate donations made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in c/o Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1046 Sterling, CO 80751. This organization is near and dear to Chad's heart as his son Carson is Type 1.

Over the years Chad has held many different events to raise money for the JDRF for all who have to deal with this dreaded disease.