STEVEN MICHAEL GAUGER

Steven Michael Gauger, (aka, Huns) 69, peacefully met his eternal glory on July 7, 2023 at Valley View Healthcare, Houston, Minnesota. Steve was originally from Valders, Wisconsin. He was born on May 30, 1954 to LeRoy and Lois Gauger. Steve moved to this vicinity in the 1980's to attend UW-La Crosse. During those years he met Dianne (Schutz) Gauger. Steve and Dianne married on May 28, 1988 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Caledonia. They later divorced. Steve is survived by one daughter, Teresa Gauger (Clay Brown), one granddaughter, Addyson Gauger, "adopted" granddaughter, Brooklyn Bennett, one brother Jim (Tammy) Gauger, niece Loni (Kevin) Kleinhans along with their three sons his great nephews Andrew, Nathan, & Dylan, youngest niece Mariah Gauger, nephews (Godson) Ben Gauger (Lindsey Sandberg) and Ian Gauger, former mother-in-law Rita Schutz, former in-laws and nieces and nephews and his dearest friend, Steve Pleuss. (Bender) Steve was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Lois Gauger, his paternal grandparents, Hugo and Ida Gauger, his maternal grandparents Reverend Paul and Norma Gieschen, and former father-in-law, Raymond Schutz. Uncles and aunts preceded him in death. Steve lived in Reedsville Wisconsin until 1960 and then moved with his family to Valders, Wisconsin. He attended Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School, Town of Liberty, Wisconsin where he was confirmed in 1969. Steve graduated from Manitowoc Lutheran High School in 1973. He lettered as track manager for two years. Steve attended Lakeshore Technical Institute where he studied bookeeping; Studied computer programming at the University of Wisconsin, Manitowoc. Steve also attended Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota for two years. He graduated from UW-La Crosse with a Bachelor of Science degree in recreational therapy. Steve worked as a bookkeeper for Ted Adelmann’s Disposal & Manitowoc Healthcare Center. He served as secretary /treasurer of L. H. Gauger Oil Inc from Jan 1980 - March 1981, when the company was sold. Steve was a proud and devoted father to Teresa; She inherited her love for gardening from her dad. Steve was also a very proud grandfather, his eyes lit up every time he saw Addy from the first time he ever first laid eyes on her. A man of few words, Steve will forever be remembered for his kind and gentle spirit. Teresa will always be grateful to the staff of Valley View Health Care & Rehab for the kind & compassionate care Steve received there for the last nine years of his life & for the loving care and support they received from his caregivers & her co-workers aka “other” family during his last days of his life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am, Thursday, July 13, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Visitation will be from 9:45 am to 10:45 am before the service at the church.

STEVEN MICHAEL GAUGER

May 30, 1954 - July 7, 2023