Raymond E. Gauger

Raymond Gauger, age 80, passed away with his Heavenly Father and his family at his side on Monday, December 5, 2011. Ray died at Theda Clark Hospital after suffering a severe stroke last Friday. Ray was born in Oshkosh on January 18, 1931, son of the late Elmer and Caroline (Jungwirth) Gauger. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith and gladly served his Lord and the congregation at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran church by beautifying the church grounds, working on handyman projects, and doing anything that needed to be done. Ray was educated at Trinity Lutheran School in Oshkosh, and was a 1948 graduate of the Oshkosh High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy, and was stationed at Westover Air Force Base in Springfield, Massachusetts. There he was a structural airplane mechanic. On May 16, 1953, Ray married his loving wife, Phyllis Casper of Appleton. He worked in the engineering department of Wisconsin Electric Power Company for nearly forty years, retiring in 1993. Ray also worked part-time in the hardware department at Sears for seventeen years.

Other than dealing with Celiac Sprue Disease for twenty years, Ray was in excellent physical shape. His passion to care for his family, lead his life in a Christian way and generously giving of his time and talents will be missed by many. The expression of his true talent will live on in the beautiful wood carvings of various animals, wildlife, and songbirds, and will be truly treasured. Ray enjoyed volunteering with the Golden – K Kiwanis Club in Appleton and sharing his love of carving with the other members of the Mid-Wisconsin Woodcarvers Club, where he had won numerous blue ribbons.

Ray is survived by his wife: Phyllis Gauger of Appleton; and two daughters: Wanda Gauger and Jennifer Hahnemann, both of Appleton. He was the #1 Fan of his granddaughter, who was the “apple of his eye”: Alicia Hahnemann. He is also survived by two brothers: Vernon Gauger of Oshkosh and Gus (Beverly) Gauger of Lansing, Illinois. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister: Germaine Faulkner; a brother: Roger Gauger; and Phyllis' parents: Phillip and Hazel Casper.

The Christian Funeral for Ray will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, December 9, 2011 at ST. MATTHEW EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 129 S. Mason Street in Appleton, with Rev. Thomas Mielke officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, and again Friday at the church from 12:00 Noon until the hour of the services.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231