Ipswich: Mass of Christian burial for Leroy M. Gauer, 78, of Ipswich will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Ipswich, with Fr. J. P. Morgan, celebrant.
A liturgical wake and rosary will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Holy Cross, with visitation beginning at 5 at the church.
Leroy was born April 24, 1935, in Fountain Township, near Ipswich, to Michael Joseph and Frances Helen (Ertz) Gauer. He attended a one-room country school during his earliest years of schooling. As a youngster, his family moved to a farm south of Ipswich, where he would live for 70 years.
Leroy continued his education at Holy Cross Catholic School, and then graduated from Ipswich High School with the class of 1953. Following his schooling, Leroy continued to work on the farm, but also worked with the railroad installing telegraph lines. He also worked as a welder and had helped at Taylor Implement in Ipswich for a period of time.
Leroy married Mary Catherine Morgan on June 17, 1958, a marriage that would last for 55 years to the day. They made their home on the family farm, where Leroy devoted the rest of his life to the family ranching and farming operation. While tending to his herd, keeping up with the farm chores and raising a family, Leroy also found time to contribute to his community over the years. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, the Catholic Order of Foresters, Ipswich Sportsman's Club, Yellowstone Trail Saddle Club, Harmony Township Board, South Dakota Simmental Association and the American Simmental Association.
While raising cattle was his passion, he also enjoyed hunting deer and pheasants. He was an avid New York Yankees baseball fan and enjoyed going on trips to baseball games. He had even caught a foul ball at a Yankees game. In his younger years, he had played amateur baseball in the area. Leroy found peace by spending time with his grandchildren and loved to play with his dog, Brett.
Leroy died Monday, June 17, 2013, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Ipswich; sons: Mike (Lisa) Gauer of Ipswich and Pat (Mary Beyers) Gauer of Aberdeen; daughter, Denise (Ray) Ochsner of West Fargo, N.D.; grandchildren: Evan (Susan) Ochsner of Milwaukee, Wis., Jordan Gauer of Aberdeen, Logan Gauer of Aberdeen and Abby Gauer of Ipswich; great-granddaughter, Addison Gauer; brothers: Bob (Gail) Gauer of Aberdeen and Vernon (Bernita) Gauer of Bullhead City, Ariz.; and sister, Sr. Leona Gauer of Sioux Falls.
His parents and sister, Margaret Hauck, preceded him in death.
Funeral arrangements are with Gramm Funeral Home, 720 Sixth St. N., in Ipswich.
grammfuneralhome.com