George Anton Gaukler

1936 - 2025

George Anton Gaukler, age 88, of Valley City, ND, passed away at CHI Mercy Health hospital, Valley City, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. He was born on August 22, 1936, in Sisseton, SD, to Aloysius Bernard Gaukler and Agatha Catherine (Duerr) Gaukler. George grew up on a small farm outside of Lidgerwood, ND. After graduating high school in 1954, he drove truck to deliver gas to local farmers. George then joined the U.S. Army and served two years.

George attended Valley City State College from 1958 to 1962, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education. During his college years, he benefited from many great mentors and became a student leader in politics and student government. Following college, he had a brief stint as principal and math teacher at a small rural school in Noltimier Township, ND.

In 1964, George changed his career path by opening an office in Valley City to pursue real estate development, which he enjoyed for the rest of his life. George founded Valley Realty, Hi-Line Construction, and Valley Rental Service, which built, managed, and sold single family homes, multi-family developments, and commercial buildings. George served as president of the ND Board of Realtors and the ND Real Estate Commission. In 1997, George founded the Dakota REIT, a private real estate investment trust that owns properties throughout the Midwest. Despite his retirement from the Dakota REIT's Board of Trustees in 2023, George remained actively involved with the business of Dakota REIT Management.

George and his beloved wife, Audrey, who he married in 1971, were active contributors to Valley City State University and sought numerous ways to support the long-term growth and well-being of the Valley City community, including the fundraising and development of the Gaukler Family Wellness Center and George's longstanding work with the talented teams at the Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation and the VCSU Foundation. George also was a founder of Tri W-G Manufacturing, a medical equipment manufacturer in Valley City since 1967.

George was a long-time leader of the ND Democratic-NPL Party. He served as its state chair from 1980 to 1994, during which time he helped numerous local, state, and national leaders be elected to office. He also served as the Democratic National Committee person for ND, and as a member of the National Executive Committee.

He enjoyed grilling and entertaining family and friends and had a true passion for gardening, eagerly sharing his abundant produce with those who enjoyed his fresh fruits and vegetables. George and Audrey shared meaningful time with family and friends at their lake home in Minnesota and along the beaches of St. Maarten. George also enjoyed decades of family gatherings in Lidgerwood, ND, his childhood home.

George is survived by his children, Michael (Kristin) Smith, Tracy (Jeff Eyres) Smith, and Geoffrey (Monte) Gaukler; grandchildren, Connor, Mara, Karin, Nina, Patrick, Keegan, Dawson, Madison, Megan, and Reagan; great-grandchildren, Nora, Lennon, Quinn, and Sawyer; and siblings, Paul Gaukler, Cathy Wollitz, Lois Jaeger, and Claire Belford. George is preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 53 years, Audrey Lee (Dohman) Gaukler.

His family extends their heartfelt appreciation for the loving care provided by Kaley Machart and the team at Elderbee Care. Memorials are preferred to the Abused Persons Outreach Center in Valley City (https://www.apocnd.org) or the Valley City Parks and Recreation Foundation (https://www.vcparks.com) for the development of the Hidden Pond Trail. A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, April 10, at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts, 306 Viking Dr., Valley City. An informal gathering will follow the celebration. Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel (www.oliver-nathanchapel.com)