Duane Gauger

Duane Gauger, age 84, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Thursday, August 10, 2017 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Rev. Michael Breach officiating. Organist will be Linda Hodgson with special music provided by Zoey Wilson and Ken and Linda Hodgson. Urn bearers will be Zoey and Nolan Wilson. Honorary urn bearers will be Duane's hunting buddies and his family and friends.

Visitation will be held Tuesday morning starting at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton.

Duane M. Gauger was born October 20, 1932 in Wheaton, Minnesota to Russell and Evelyn (Erickson) Gauger. He was baptized by Rev. Malmstedt at Swedish Mission Church and later confirmed there by Rev. Jacobson. Duane grew up in Wheaton and graduated Wheaton High School in 1951. He was united in marriage to Janet Winter on August 15, 1953 at St. John Lutheran Church. The couple resided on a farm west of Wheaton where they farmed, raised cattle, hogs and poultry. To this union two children were born, Randy and Cindy. Duane's twin brother Dean was tragically killed in a farm accident on May 11, 1959.

Duane had many occupations in his life. He sold cars in Wyoming, raised hogs in Nebraska and was a security guard in Las Vegas, Nevada just to name a few. In the early 2000's Duane returned to the area residing in Rosholt, South Dakota but spent many winters in Arizona. He returned to Wheaton in 2012 and began residing in the Traverse Care Center in 2014.

Duane loved time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed country western music, coffee fellowship with his friends, watching westerns on TV, and cheering for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He was a "strong-willed man with a firm handshake." He took many trips to Laughlin, Nevada and the Dakota Magic Casino to try his luck. Duane's true passion was hunting. He even hunted from his wheelchair when his health began to fail.

Duane is survived by two children: Randy (Linda) Gauger of Farmington, Pennsylvania; and Cindy (Mike) Blasing of Wheaton; three grandchildren: Nick Gauger of Arcata, California; Jessica (Adam) Wilson of Wheaton; and Jennifer (Aaron) Julson of Sanford, Florida; and five great-grandchildren: Nolan, Zoey and Piper Wilson; and Zachary and Nora Julson.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Dean and Ronald; and grandson Matt Gauger.