Ada L. Gauger, (nee Miller), age 88, of West Bend, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, April 30, 2007 at the Samaritan Health Center in West Bend.
She was born on May 24, 1918 in the town of Jackson to the late Carl and Adela (nee Wolfgram) Miller. Ada received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism presented by Rev. Otto of Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in the town of Jackson on June 9, 1918. She confirmed her faith in the Lord on March 20, 1932. Ada was united in marriage to Ruben Walter Gauger on September 28, 1940 by Rev. Otto at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in the town of Jackson. In 1961 they moved to West Bend and became members of Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church. Ada remained active in her church by singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school.
Ada was a hard worker and was employed by Power Products in Grafton for 22 years. She was a member of the Extension Home Makers Club and enjoyed cooking, baking, and making crafts. Ada loved gardening and will always be remembered for the beautiful violets that she grew.
Ada is survived by her five children, Joyce (Jim) Schmidt of the town of Trenton, Judith Osborne of New Berlin, Leslie (Frances) Gauger of Phoenix AZ, Janean (Fred) Shirley of Vicksburg MS, and Janice Gauger of Nederland CO; 10 grandchildren, Julie (Tom) Woltring, Jackie (Dave) Loescher, Jon (Lynn) Schmidt, Kelley Osborne, Barrett (Hillary) Osborne, Mercy Ruiz, Mario Ruiz, Amanda Shirley, Jillian Shirley, and Christopher Gauger; and 15 great-grandchildren, Mitchell, Thad, Bridget, Maxwell, Madeline, Andrew, Luke, Ruben, Angela, Sierra, Christopher, Meta, Ryder, Asigha, and Alexander. She is further survived by two sisters, Gertrude Mixdorf of Cedarburg, and Norma Kison of Cedarburg; a sister-in-law, Ethel Miller of the town of Jackson; three brothers-in-law, Harold (Doris) Gauger, Herbert Gauger, and Elmer Gauger; and many other dear relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Lewis Gauger; her two brothers, Oscar and Arnold Miller; three sisters-in-law, Evelyn Gauger, Loraine Gauger, and Meta (Danny) Infalt; three brothers-in-law, Arnold Gauger, Roland Kison, and Harry Mixdorf.
A funeral service in celebration of Ada's life will be held on Monday, May 7, at 1:30 pm at Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church (462 Meadowbrook Dr. West Bend). Rev. Joseph Fisher will officiate and burial will follow in Washington County Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 6 at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Visitation will also be on Monday at the church from 12:00 pm until the time of service at 1:30 pm.
Memorials to Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church Building Fund or to the Alzheimer's Association of Southeastern Wisconsin (6130 W. National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53214).
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff of the Samaritan Health Care Center, especially to the staff of the 3rd and 4th floor for the loving care that was given to Ada and her family over the years.