Chester "Chet" A. Gauger

     Chester “Chet” August Gauger, 95, formally of the rank of Corporal from WWII, received the highest honors in being promoted into the Lord’s service, Tuesday, February 18, 2020.

     He was born in Fish Creek on the family homestead on July 26, 1924 and graduated from Gibraltar High School in 1943. In 1950, Chet married Esther Peil.

     Chet is survived by his wife and business partner of 69 years, Esther; daughter, Vickie (John) Viste; grandsons, Chad Viste and Joshua (Melissa) Viste; great-grandchildren, Alaina and Caleb Viste; sister, Elizabeth Stanecki; and sisters-in-law, Angeline Gauger, Lois Gauger, and Eunice Gauger.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Gauger; siblings, Emily (Alfred) Spittlemeister, Reginald Gauger, Harvey Gauger, Orville Gauger, and Dorothy (Norbert) Sawyer; and brother-in-law, Norbert Stanecki.

     Chet was a proud WWII Veteran and a lifetime member of VFW Post #3088 and the Weber-Tess AMVETS Post 51, both in Sturgeon Bay. He served with the United States Army from 1944 to 1946 in Germany and Austria and was training for the invasion of Japan. Chet was the owner of Gauger Heating and Sheetmetal on Egg Harbor Road, serving the Door County community since 1952.

     Chet was a member of the nationally recognized AMVETS Drill Team which marched in Washington, D.C. for Kennedy’s inauguration. In his retirement, Chet put more miles on his vehicle than when he was working full-time, as he visited shut-ins and veterans who could not get around. Chet served as a trustee for the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church and was part of the “Hans, Franz and Chet” team at church, fixing anything and everything needed (at church). In his 70s, Chet took up golfing, and like anything he did, he did it with a passion. He eventually would work his way through three sets of clubs. He also enjoyed dancing with Esther and playing sheepshead with the crew at Happy Hour.

     A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2020 at Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church with Rev. Dr. Matthew R. Knapp, Sr. officiating. Military honors by the United States Army, V.F.W. Post #3088, and the Weber-Tess AMVETS Post 51 will be provided at the church. Following lunch at the church, Chet will be laid to rest in Blossomberg Cemetery in Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek.

    Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay and will continue at the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church on Friday, from 10:00 until 10:50 a.m.

     “Our heartfelt thanks go out to Dr. Richard Hogan, and the staff at Sturgeon Bay Health Services for their love and support given to Chet and our family.”

     In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Chet’s memory to the charity of your choice.

     Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Chet may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

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