John Gardner Auger

Mankato Mortuary
1001 North Riverfront Drive
Mankato, Minnesota 56001
507-388-2202

John Gardner Auger, age 90, of Mankato, Minnesota passed away peacefully on November 30th, 2016. John (Jack) was born June 23, 1926 in Denver, Colorado. He was a graduate of the University of Colorado, where he earned a BA degree and a PhD. He served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946. John was a teacher, high school counselor, and from 1968-1992 a professor of counselor education at Minnesota State Mankato. Most of all, he was a devoted son, husband, and father.

John enjoyed traveling, reading, and taking his children camping in the Colorado mountains. He talked often about the summers spent with his family at Tom Tucker ranch, a boys’ ranch in the mountains of Colorado managed by his father. John was a long time member of Centenary United Methodist Church, volunteering for numerous church activities. He was also a member of Kiwanis and was a dedicated VINE volunteer.

John was honored with a number of awards for his professional work and his service to others, including the Outstanding Senior Volunteer award from the Area Agency on Aging, the Minnesota School Counselors Association (MSCA) Counselor Educator of the Year Award, the MSCA Outstanding Leadership Award, and the Counseling and Student Personnel Department Legacy Award. John left a deep, lasting impact on his students, and many kept in contact with him decades later. In 2005, he was the sole faculty member chosen to be honored by the students of Smiley Junior High School in Denver at their 50th class reunion.

John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Martha, and children Carol, Rick, and Dave (Jane); six grandchildren: Jessica (Kal), Kristin, Henry, Annie, Jamie, and Alex; great-granddaughter, Kaylee; brother-in-law Mike Ferrell (Sue); six nieces and nephews: Steve, Tom (Marilyn), and Tracy Bush, Joan Langehough (Steve), Marianne Watt (Bruce), and Rob Ferrell (Dawn). He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Pat.

There will be a visitation on Monday, December 5th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary, 1001 North Riverfront Drive. A celebration of his life will be on Tuesday, December 6th at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation one hour prior, at Centenary United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be given to Centenary United Methodist Church, VINE, or the Counseling and Student Personnel Department at MSU.