Obituary of Troona Ann Sauer

There will be a Funeral Mass on Friday September 9th at 11:00 AM at St Peters Catholic Church for Troona Ann Sauer who died September 1, 2022.  
Troona Ann Ochsner was born on September 11, 1928 to Henry N “Harry” and Lena Ochsner on a farm in Artas, South Dakota.   The fourth of six children, she lived in Herried and then Mobridge, SD where she graduated from high school in 1946.    In 1949 she married Michael H Pfaller and had two children who were born in Mobridge. Michael came to Eugene, OR to work for the Railroad and Troona and two children joined him in 1953—far from family and friends. With Troona’s outgoing personality, she soon made many friends and the family grew as 6 more children were born in Eugene.  
Her greatest source of joy in life was her family. She was fun loving and lived life with a smile on her face.  She taught us the true meaning of family and never hesitated to tell you she loved you dearly.  Our earliest memories are of her singing and she could always lull a baby to sleep.  She thought it was important to educate young minds and, in the days when Kindergarten was optional, we all went even if she had to clean the school to afford it.  Now we are all avid readers.  A homemaker in the early years, Troona started working at River Road School when her youngest started school.  She was an aide who taught reading to students who needed a boost.  She touched many lives that way and also through her service in the Church.  She was a devout catholic and has been a member of Saint Peter’s for 62 years, working with the Altar Society.  It was her many friends from church and school who helped her through when she was widowed in 1981.  
Troona was a people person and loved visiting with everyone she met.  She loved all the holidays with decorations, lights, and of course family. Her potato salad and cinnamon rolls were legendary.  She retired from River Road School in 1995 and then in 1998, her neighbor LeRoy Sauer took her dancing.  She loved to dance and they were married that November. Lee had six grown children who also became part of her extended family.  Lee & Troona spent many happy years traveling to AZ in the winter and playing cards with friends. A light has gone from our lives and we will miss her sweetness and her smile.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandma, GG, and friend.   
 Troona is preceded in death by her father and mother, her brothers Henry and Aldeen, sister Marcella Scheafbauer, first husband Michael H Pfaller, one grandchild, Georgia Wilkinson, and Lee’s son Tom.  She is survived by her husband, LeRoy Sauer, a sister Betty Jay of Mobridge, SD, a brother Franklin “Red” Ochsner of Huron, SD, her eight children:  Michael Pfaller(Beverly Ringenberg) of Cedar Key, FL, Lora Youel(James) of Eugene, Joli Pfaller of Portland, Lon Pfaller (Debbie) of Eugene, Chris Pfaller (Cheyanne Erskine) of Gresham , Kim Pfaller of Eugene, Kelly Pfaller (Janette) of Tigard, Lisa Arp (Rob) of Eugene, fifteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.  She is also survived by Lee’s children Pat, Judi, David, Tina and Sue.
The family would like to thank Pete Moore Hospice House for the loving care given to mom and for a beautiful place for us to gather.
The Mass will be at Saint Peter Catholic Church, 1150 Maxwell Rd, Eugene, OR 97404 on Friday September 9 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Saint Peter Catholic Church, Pete Moore Hospice House 4010 County Farm Rd, Eugene, OR 97408, or the American Cancer Society.