Sheila Dorothy (Stoffel) Lauer-Kragness

Sheila D. Lauer-Kragness (Stoffel), 81, formerly of St. Cloud, FL, and most recently of Haines City, FL, passed away on Sunday, May 25th, 2025 at 7:25am, and as a dear friend said, “just in time to get to 8:00 mass”, where she will be reunited with her husband Ronald Kragness, siblings Linda Graves and Michael Stoffel, parents Louis and Winifred, son Peter Joseph, and countless family and friends who are celebrating her joining them in eternal life in Christ Jesus’ care.   

 

While Alzheimer’s Disease may have taken center stage in the final years of her life, Sheila is warmly remembered as lighting up every room with her beautiful smile, welcoming embrace, kind heart, generous nature, life of devotion to her Christian faith, love of music, dance, and photography.  She treasured her family, lifelong friendships and many communities of caring, all over the world.

   

Sheila was born in Quincy, MA in December of 1943, to Louis Michael Stoffel and Winifred Marie (Cunniffe).  She spent her early years in Littleton, MA with siblings Michael and Linda, enjoying summers as a lifeguard at Long Lake Beach and scooping ice cream at Kimball’s.  After earning her Associate’s from Cardinal Cushing College, she traveled Europe with her dear Aunts Harriet and Joanie, where she got a taste for travel which later extended to visiting many countries, including living in Indonesia, where she made many friends and embraced the local culture. 

       

Sheila’s career included working with the mentally disabled, as a secretary in manufacturing, and as a personal banker.  Upon retirement, she attended Tractor Trailer Training School, where she received her CDL-A driver’s license and fulfilled her dream of driving an 18-wheeler.

 

A devout Catholic who followed her faith with daily devotions, the rosary, daily mass, novenas for special intentions, international prayer vigils, and as a layperson and lector, Sheila rejoiced in using her voice to praise the Lord, and to remember others.  It was important to her that friends and family be remembered on their birthday, and she took joy in singing, or serenading Happy Birthday on her viola or saxophone, to a list of hundreds that she remembered every year!

    

She loved babies, and as her 3 children reached East Granby High School, she enjoyed fostering new -born babies through Catholic Family Services in Hartford, CT.  She is remembered as someone who helped many in their time of need; new mothers, new parishioners, new to the Senior Center, new to the US, and Sheila volunteered at an Orphanage in Indonesia.  While living in Indonesia, she also learned the Bahasa language, and used her sewing skills to make patterns, and sew beautiful dresses with local fabrics.

   

Sheila loved music and would often be the first one on the dance floor, encouraging others to join in line dancing, ballroom dancing, organizing celebrations, decorating, or greeting party goers at the door.  She found joy in dressing up for every occasion and coordinating with a fashion flair to complement her partner.  Sheila embraced music!  Whether practicing dance steps, or practicing an instrument – she enjoyed the arts, with an “all in” effort and dedication. 

  

Sheila is survived and will be missed, by her children, Karen (K.C. Lauer) Balbi, Catherine Wynne, and David Lauer; her many Grandchildren: Matthew, Andrew, Cassandra, Jackson, Raymond, Logan, and Charles, and Great-Children: Anthony and Elliana; and by William P. Lauer, Jr., her former husband.

   

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, June 21st, at 10:30am, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, in St. Cloud, Florida.

   

A Funeral mass followed by Christian burial, will be held on Saturday, July 12th at 9am, at St. Anne Church, Blessed Trinity Parish, in Littleton, MA.