Leroy Hauger

LeRoy Hauger, age 89 of rural Irene, SD took his Lord's outstretched hand, Sunday, January 25, 2015 at Yankton Sister James Nursing Home, Yankton, surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, January 30, 2015 at St. Columba Catholic Church, Mayfield, SD with Father Leonard Kayser officiating and military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard, Yankton and the South Dakota Army National Guard Honor Guard, Sioux Falls. Visitations will begin at 5 PM, Thursday, January 29, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with a 7 PM Wake Service and video tribute. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. LeRoy Joseph Hauger was born on March 19, 1925 on a farm near Volin, SD to Peter and Mary (Freimuth) Hauger. He was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Columba Church. LeRoy was raised on farms in the Mayfield area and attended Cornbelt School. In the second grade, he attended Sister School in Marion, SD. He attended Irene High School for two years, then helped on the family farm until being drafted into the armed services in January of 1945. He served 14 months overseas in World War II and was honorably discharged on November 6, 1946. Dad had many stories of the humidity in the Philippines, the long boat ride, Japan and the rice paddies. After returning home, he resumed farming on the family farm. Soon after, he started dating Delores Marie McDonald and they were married on December 27, 1949. To this union, four sons and one daughter were born. LeRoy served on the Mayfield School Board, Mayfield Cemetery Board and Church Council, and was an usher at St. Columba for many years. He loved his family, his Fords, International tractors and his cows and pigs. Even after retirement, he helped on the farm as much as he could, as long as he could. Farming was his life. Once he could not get around very well and after his second hip replacement surgery, LeRoy lived in Yankton with his wife at Autumn Winds then at Sister James Nursing Home. Those left to mourn him are his wife of 65 years, Delores; sons, Rodney and Linda, Jim and Judy, all of Irene; Warren and Liz of Stewartville, MN; Terry and Diane of Yankton, SD; daughter, Lynda (Regie) Berger, of Crofton, NE; twelve grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one brother, Lyle (Jean) Hauger of Irene, SD and sister-in-law, Lois of Mission Hill, SD; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three infant sisters: Phyllis, Clarice and Mary Helen, his parents, brother, Willis, sister, Lucille Mason and brother-in-law, Bob Mason. Blessed be his memory.