Teresa Lauinger

Feb. 2, 1936-Nov. 24, 2025

Drake

Teresa E. Lauinger was born in Drake, ND to Joseph & Barbara Schmaltz on February 2nd, 1936. Teresa married the love of her life, Benno Lauinger, on October 12th, 1954. They resided on the Ben Lauinger family farm where they raised their family (David, Ronald, & Gerald Lauinger). Niece Bernadette Lauinger came to live with them in 1972 where Teresa raised her as her own.

Family, friends, & community were extremely important to Teresa. Not only did her immediate family call her grandma but so did all the kids she provided childcare for. She talked frequently about all the children she raised and was so proud and had such fond memories of them. Teresa was a member of the Christian Mothers, St. Boniface Ladies Aid & Church choir, Esmond Ambulance Board, American Legion Auxiliary, Esmond Café Board, Esmond Park Board, and the Golden Age Club. She stayed very active in the community.

Teresa loved gardening, flowers, cooking & baking, canning, crocheting, bowling, bingo, camping & watching kids. She was well known by many for her amazing cooking and baking skills. She made the best buns, kuchen, egg noodles, & baking powder biscuits to name a few. Her cooking skills were showcased at her home and also at the Esmond Café where she worked for 25 years. She graduated from eighth grade in Bergen and proceeded to cook at the Bergen school to feed all the kids. It was just in her blood.

Teresa is survived by her Son- Ronald (Trina) Lauinger & children; Desirae (Kaelyn) Heikens-Lauinger, Drew Lauinger & children Drew, Millie, & Harley Lauinger, Renae (Boyfriend Devin Anderson) daughter Abby, Allyson Lauinger, Step Children; Kim (Lance) Heck & 4 children, Kyle (Stacy) Shaw & 2 children, Kameron (Riley) & 3 children, Kane (Morgan) Gerszewski,& Konner Gerszewski; Son- David (Shannon) Lauinger & children; Kayla (Cody) Severson, children Avery & Dalton, Megan (Chris) Jundt; Dylan (Savanna) Lauinger, daughter Brynlee; Courtney (Boyfriend Reuben Yoder), Grandson Mitchell Larson, daughter Kenya, Sister Mary Duchscher & Brother Edward Schmaltz.

Teresa passed away at the HAMC Living Center on November 24th, 2025 after a long battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband- Benno Lauinger; Son- Gerald Lauinger; Parents- Joseph & Barbara Schmaltz; Sisters & Brothers-in-Law- Margaret & Barney Bischoff, Barbara and John Gerger; Brother-in-Law- Jim Duchscher; Brothers- Pete, George, & Mike Schmaltz & Joseph Lindeman; Sister-in-Law, Caroline Schmaltz; Great Grandson- Cameron Yoder; numerous aunts, uncles and angel babies.

Her spirited personality, kindness & love for family and community will forever be missed.

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, November 29, 2025.

DrakNoveNovember 24, 2025mber 24, 2025