James Lester Gaugert Sr.

James L. Gaugert Sr., 79, of Lake Geneva, WI, died Monday April 10, 2017 at his home.  James Lester Gaugert was born in Madison, WI on July 6, 1937, the son of the late Lester A. and Elsa (Kiepert) Gaugert.  He was a graduate of Oconomowoc High School in Oconomowoc, WI.  On July 6, 1957 he was united in marriage to the former Nancy Trimborn; she preceded him in death on October 28, 1997.  On June 24, 1998 James married the former Patricia Craig.

Following employment as a sales associate, first with Hornburg (automobile dealership) and later with Brownberry Ovens, James began a lengthy career (over 30 years) with Aid Association for Lutherans (an insurance and financial services organization), first as a District Representative, followed by many more years in management, serving as a General Agent.  He was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS) and served as the Church President. James heeded Jesus’ Great Commission to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ through his devoted efforts leading and serving on First Lutheran’s Evangelism Committee and serving on the board of directors for both the WELS Kingdom Workers (missions) and God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society. He was also a ‘Grace Partner’ and served and supported the mission efforts of Time of Grace (a media ministry).

James is survived by his wife Pat; 4 children, Debbie Gaugert of Loves Park, IL, Jim (Jeri) Gaugert Jr. of Lake Geneva, WI, Becky (Mike) Besaw of Wausau, WI and Jon Gaugert of San Diego, CA; 3 stepchildren, Mark (Shirley) Craig, Mike (Patti Jo) Craig and Pam (Saverio) Craig Savastano; 15 grandchildren and stepgrandchildren, Courtney Ravn Pinkston, Daniel Ravn, Erik (Ashley) Ravn, Austin Gaugert, Alex (Aubrie) Gaugert, Annie Gaugert, Giovanni Savastano, Alexandria Savastano, Victoria Savastano, Michaella Savastano, Lucas (Sandy) Craig, Melissa Craig, Robert Craig, Abby Craig, Jaimie (Taylor) Craig Richards; 8 great-grandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren, Ariana, Koleton, Rylee, Emily, Riley, Carter, Wyatt and Cali; 2 brothers, Dale (Janet) Gaugert of Jefferson, WI and Dan (Gayle) Gaugert of Wales, WI; 2 sisters, Rose Henning of Jefferson, WI and Sharon Stade of Fort Atkinson, WI.

Services for James will be held on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Geneva; Reverend Verlyn Dobberstein will officiate. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon on the church campus immediately following the service. Entombment will follow the luncheon in Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona, WI.  Visitation will be Sunday, April 23, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Derrick Funeral Home, and from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. on Monday at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, preceding the funeral service.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials are requested in James’ name to: First Evangelical Lutheran Church, WELS Kingdom Workers, or Head and Neck Cancer Research at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center.

To sign the on-line guest registry go to: www.derrickfuneralhome.com