Robert D. Gaukler

LINTON -- Robert D. Gaukler, 69, Linton, died Dec. 17, 1999, in the Mandan hospital. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Linton, with burial in North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military rites will be by Linton American Legion and Strasburg VFW.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today at Myers Funeral Home, Linton, and will continue at the church one hour before services. A prayer service will begin at 7:30 tonight at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bruce Krebs officiating.

Robert was born Jan. 15, 1931, at Lidgerwood, the son of Anton and Ester (Allain) Gaukler. He graduated from Lidgerwood High School in 1948, and from Ellendale College in 1953. In July 1953, he entered the U.S. Army, and was an education specialist, stationed in Verdum, France. After his discharge in 1955, he taught math and science at Hazelton High School for two years. He moved to Linton in 1957, where he worked as an accountant. He and Tony Goetz purchased the Linton Insurance Agency, which later became known as Gaukler's Accounting. On June 7, 1962, he married Leona Wasen Schuette at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Linton.

Bob loved the outdoors and spent quality time with his grandchildren, fishing, hunting, camping and golfing. He was proud of their accomplishments. He was a life member of Strasburg VFW, and a past commander of Linton American Legion. He served as mayor of Linton from 1962-1974, and he was president of North Dakota League of Cities from 1971-1972. He served as chairman of Emmons County Commissioners from 1973-1988. He was a member of the Lewis and Clark RDC Board from 1977-1988 and served as chairman from 1979-1982. He was on the board of directors of Strasburg State Bank. He was the recipient of several awards, the Linton Jaycee Distinguished Service Award, honorary fireman for the City of Linton, special achievement award from the Lewis and Clark Development Council.

Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Leona; one son and daughter-in-law, James and Kathy Schuette, Salem, Ore.; one daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Leroy Jahner, Linton; 11 grandchildren, Mark, Meagan, Melisa, Bill, Jennifer, Ryan, Wade, Jill, Janell, Ashley and Joseph; four great-grandchildren, Channing, Blayke, Mason and William; one brother and sister-in-law, John and Margaret Gaukler, Lidgerwood; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Norma Honl, Lidgerwood, Mary Ann Haas, Bismarck, Betty and Bill Kashe, Lakewood, Calif., and Helen and Bob Hankey, Staples, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers.