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Roger W. Gaugler, age 74, of Almont, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving wife and children on Monday August 25, 2025.

Funeral services for Roger will be held at 10:00 a.m. MT on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig, ND.  Pastor John Amundson will officiate with burial to follow in the Assembly of God Cemetery in Elgin.

A gathering of family and friends and a time of sharing stories and memories will be at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 1, 2025 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig.

Roger was born to Ray and Mary (Emery) Gaugler on October 21, 1950. He was the 5th of 8 children. He joined the family on the ranch and continued that love of country and cattle for the rest of his days. He attended a one room country school until 6th grade. After the school burned down, he moved to New Leipzig Public School where he graduated in 1968.

After graduation he attended The School of Mines in Rapid City, SD and then Alaska Methodist University in Anchorage, AK. After some wild adventures with his sister Carol and friends he came back to ND to pursue teaching. He taught math in Balta and New Leipzig where he received an Outstanding Teacher Award before he returned to ranching.

He met the love of his life, Ardella Sayler, in early 1975. Their love was fast and furious and they were wed within 6 months of meeting. The wedding was on August 2nd, 1975. To this union Jesse, Eric and Sarah were born.

The early years of marriage were spent teaching, living in New Leipzig and ranching on his father in laws ranch. In 1980 Roger retired from teaching to ranch fulltime.

1989 was a big year for Roger and his family. The ranching operation was moved from Elgin to their forever ranch south of Almont. Also, during that year, he was honored to be a Pony Express rider for the ND Centennial.

He continued to raise kids and cattle all while serving the communities well. He served on many boards including, the school board in Almont, numerous terms on the ND Gelbvieh board and a church elder at the Assembly of God and Word of Life. Something he worked hard for and received in 2022 was the Grant County Conservation Award. Taking care of the land and watching it flourish gave him great joy.

After some rough years he made the decision to sell most of the cows and start crop adjusting. While the downsize didn't last long his adjusting career did. He adjusted for 23 yrs. He loved his time talking to all the different farmers and the connections it created.

Besides ranching he had a passion for hunting and wildlife. For a few years he ran a hunting guide business. Twenty years later some of those same hunters are still coming yearly to not only hunt but to just spend quality time with him and his family. That is the kind of impact he made on people. His kindness and grace made a lasting impression in many lives.

For anyone that knew him his passions and priorities were easy to see. The things most important to him were his walk with his Savior, his family, passing on the legacy of the ranch and just sitting on the hill watching cattle and wildlife.

He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Ardella. His legacy continues on in Jesse (Karin) of Hills, MN, Eric (Amy) of Almont, ND, and Sarah (Verrick) Schock of Carson, ND. His grandchildren Leeanna and Madison Gaugler, Tanner and Faith Gaugler, Senora, Ivy, Treyvn, Heston and Brinley Schock. His siblings Roberta "Bobbie" Weber of Yuma, AZ, Carol (Jesse) Farnsworth of Eagar AZ, Elaine Holen of Westhope ND, Harold (Jodie) Gaugler of New Leipzig, ND and Scott (Beth) Gaugler of Dunn Center, ND, sister-in-law Debbie Gaugler of New Leipzig, ND and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws; his sister Doris Benoit; brother Richard Gaugler; brother in laws Lloyd Weber, Paul Benoit and Curt Holen, and niece Beth Rubus.