August 2022
Andrea J. (nee Schmidt) Gauger, age 83, an NID teacher and administrator for over 40 years, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 25, 2022, following a brief hospitalization.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Melvin E. Gauger; their son, the Rev. William J. (Janice) Gauger; and her brother, John Schmidt.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John C. and Frances M. (nee Ottesen) Schmidt.
Andrea attended Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois, graduating in 1961. In 1972 she earned her Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Northeastern Illinois University. The majority of her career was spent at Luther High School North in Chicago over the years 1962 to 2004, with a brief break to raise her son and teach at St. Andrews Lutheran School in Park Ridge. At Luther North, “Mrs. G,” as she was affectionately known by many, taught English, reading and public speaking. She also served as alumni coordinator and registrar.
Family and friends will gather for her funeral service on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main Street in East Dundee. Burial will be private. Visitation will be held in Immanuel’s Luther Hall on Wednesday, August 31 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again on Thursday morning from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” program or the Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF) are appreciated.