Robert A. Gauerke

Robert August Gauerke passed away peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on January 9, 2018 at Cherry Meadows Hospice Center, surrounded by his family that loved him. Even though Bob was not a smoker, his life was taken by lung cancer.  He was born in September 11, 1924 in Appleton, the first son of the late Alfred and Meta (Bartz) Gauerke. He graduated from Shawano High School in 1943 and joined the Navy. As a Morse Code operator aboard the USS Cushing, Bob sent and received the messages, including the one that World War II had ended and he would be returning home to Appleton.

In 1951, Bob went on a “blind date” and met the love of his life, Juanita Kuberra. They loved camping and traveling and went on to have three children and were happily married for 66 years. Bob owned and operated Ace Cleaning Service, and worked full time at the Appleton Post Office for over 30 years. He belonged to the MacDowell Male Chorus for 50 years and stayed active with the chorus after he stopped singing. He made many good friends through the chorus and was a past president. Bob was a lifelong member at First English Lutheran Church and was a past president as well.

In addition to his wife, Juanita, Bob is survived by his three children: Julie (Dan) Beyer of Appleton, Shari (Craig) Hanson of Elroy and Scott (Pam) Gauerke of Appleton; seven grandchildren: Jenna Beyer of Minneapolis, Jordan Beyer of Appleton, Emily (Jeremy) Hanson-Hill of Chicago, Sam (Kate Ditter-Hanson) Hanson of Minneapolis, Maida (David) Hanson-Wrigley of Philadelphia, Greg (Terri) Gauerke of Appleton and Kevin (Lauren) Gauerke of Appleton; five great-grandchildren: Peter, Claire, Brooke, Addison, and Hailey Gauerke; one brother, Pastor Eugene (Vi) Gauerke of Waupaca, and two sisters-in-law: Wanda Zimmer of Appleton and Marjorie Gauerke of Oshkosh. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Ken (Shirley) Gauerke and Pastor Donald Gauerke.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at First English Lutheran Church, 326 E. North St. Appleton, with Pastor Mary Bauer officiating. Friends and family may gather at the church from 9:00 am until the time of service. Entombment will take place at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.

The family would like memorials to be directed to Wounded Warriors or MacDowell Male Chorus.

The family would like to give a thank you to all the staff at Cherry Meadows Hospice Center for all their loved comfort and compassion that was given to Bob and the family. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

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