Click Here to View the Funeral for Rick

Funeral Service Updated Information:

For all family and friends, a Celebration of Life for Richard (Rick) Gaugler will be held on Friday, May 2nd, 2025 at 10:00 AM MT at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig, N.D. A lunch will follow at the Gottlieb Weller Community Center in New Leipzig. Burial with full military honors will follow at 2 PM MT at the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, south of Mandan, N.D. We shall return after the burial to the Gottlieb Weller Community Center in New Leipzig to continue with a time of fellowship.

Richard L. (Rick) Gaugler passed away at his home on Thursday, January 23, 2025 in New Leipzig, ND. Cremation is taking place, and memorial services will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church at a later date.

Richard Leroy Gaugler, age 76, of New Leipzig, North Dakota, passed away on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his
immediate family.

Richard was born in Elgin, North Dakota, on February 29th, 1948, to Ray and Mary (Emery) Gaugler. He graduated from New Leipzig High School in 1966 and later attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. On April 21st, 1969, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, completing Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He then attended a nine-month intensive Russian Language course at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, and Radio Intercept School at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. With a Top Secret Security clearance, Richard served the remainder of his time at San Vito Air Force Base near Brindisi, Italy, before receiving an honorable discharge on April 21st, 1973.

On September 18th, 1976, Richard married Debra Roth at Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Old Leipzig, North Dakota. Together, they built a life on their farm and ranch. Richard enjoyed attending auction sales, often bringing home treasures, and was an avid collector of old farm machinery, especially John Deere tractors. He also had a collection of vintage cars that he would proudly display during the New Leipzig Oktoberfest parade.

Richard and Debbie attended many Sturgis Motorcycle Rallies over the years with friends, always cherishing the good times spent together. Richard was an avid reader and could often be found playing countless games of solitaire at the dining room table.

A few heartfelt thoughts from friends: "Rick was a thinker and usually had a plan. He was quiet but would always have a smile and a chuckle. What you saw is what you got."

Richard was a member of Legion Post #0211 in New Leipzig, North Dakota, as well as a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of New Leipzig.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie (Roth) Gaugler; daughters, Rachele Roemmich (Dave Ferderer), Elyse (Jesse) Crouch, and son, Emery (Holly) Gaugler. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Sampson, Benjamin, Daniel, Makayla, Cadence, Carson, and Wyatt, as well as great-grandchildren: Jackson, Lilly, Everett, Easton, and Ruth.

Richard is further survived by his siblings: sisters, Roberta Weber, Carol (Jesse) Farnsworth, and Elaine Holan; brothers, Roger (Ardella) Gaugler, Harold (Jodi) Gaugler, and Scott (Beth) Gaugler.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Mary Gaugler; in-laws, Paul and Phyllis Roth; a sister, Doris Benoit; brothers-in-law Lloyd Weber, Paul Benoit, and Curt Holen; and a niece, Beth Rubus.