Milton L. Gauger

Milton L. Gauger, 78, of Marengo, died peacefully Tuesday evening, Nov. 20, 2012, at Rose Haven Nursing Home under the care of Essence of Life Hospice. Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at First United Methodist Church, Marengo, with the Rev. James Bringman and the Rev. Grant Speece officiating. Burial will be in Marengo Cemetery. Visitation: 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo.

Milton is survived by his wife Judith; his son, Jeffrey (Susan) of Montrose, Mich.;, his daughter, Vicki Gauger (Tony Vernon) of Bellevue, Neb.; three grandchildren, Steven Gauger (Lindsay), Scott Gauger and Kelsey Gauger; a great-grandson, Gavin Milton Gauger; and a sister, Ruth Pringle of Allen, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Norma Velky.

Milton Leonard Gauger was born Aug. 13, 1934, in Charles City, Iowa, the son of Leonard and Edith Henry Gauger. He received his education in the Rockford, Elkader and Cedar Rapids schools, graduating from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids with the class of 1952. He served in the U.S. Army and later with the Army Reserves. Milton was employed at Amana Refrigeration for several years in quality control. In 1979, he purchased Iowa Valley Stables, where he was a horse trainer. Milton and Judith Rathjen were united in marriage on July 1, 1984, at Trinity United Church of Christ, rural Marengo.

Milton was a member of several state and national horse associations. In 1994, he was inducted into the Iowa Horsemen’s Hall of Fame.

A memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.klosterfuneralhome.com.

Published Nov. 23, 2012 in The Gazette