Wilfred "Willie" Sauer Obituary

Willie Sauer died peacefully on Wednesday morning, November 5, 2025, at Park Gardens Senior Living in Fergus Falls, MN. He was born on July 12, 1934, to Mary and Joseph Sauer in Muskego Township, Renville County, rural Carpio, ND. He was raised on the family farm with his siblings and graduated from Carpio High School in 1952. He continued his education at NDSU until March 1957, when he joined the US Army. He was stationed in Fairbanks, AK, until his honorable discharge in December 1958. Upon returning home, he completed his education at Minot State University. On June 3, 1961, he was united in marriage to Margo (Jacobson). Together, Willie and Margo had four children. Willie had a long career in education. He was a teacher in Deering, ND for several years before becoming superintendent of the Carpio school district. While superintendent there, he earned his master’s degree in education administration at NDSU. In 1974, Willie and Margo moved their family to Wahpeton, ND, when Willie took a job as principal of Wahpeton Elementary Schools, which he held for 19 years. Upon retirement from this position in 1993, he worked as the principal of the Indian School in Wahpeton, then served as principal of St. John’s Catholic School in Wahpeton for six years. Willie was a man of many hobbies and skills. He enjoyed photography, both recreationally and professionally as a wedding and aerial photographer. Aviation was a passion of Willie’s; he was a flight instructor, teaching many people to fly, including his own son. He also sprayed crops and participated in air shows. Throughout his life, he logged thousands of flight hours. Willie enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as gardening. He was known for being a jack of all trades. This allowed him to design and build his own home on Swan Lake near Fergus Falls, where he would eventually retire. Willie was above all a man of deep faith. He was a virtuous, loving, gracious, and patient man, who always placed God first in his life, followed by family, whom he loved dearly as his pride and joy. Through his work, faith, hobbies, and life, Willie touched thousands of lives. Willie was preceded in death by his wife, Margo; parents, Mary and Joseph; mother and father-in-law, Art and Vera Jacobson, siblings Harold, Kelly, Earl, Richard, and Lyle; his nephew Steven Sauer; niece, Stacey Miller; and sisters-in-law Sandy Sauer, Verna Sauer, and Jean Sauer, and a brother-in-law, Jack Knoll.Willie is survived by his children: Mike Sauer (Kathy Sauer), Ann (Jay) Hill, Muffy (Mark) Meyer, Ellie (Bob) Kunz; grandchildren Brian (Erica) Sauer, Chuck (Veronica) Sauer, Jonathan Sauer, Ashley (Austin) Hamilton, Bethany (AJ) DeLange, Alex (Allison) Hill, Andrew Meyer, Phillip Meyer, William Meyer, Maddie Draeger (Alanna Allred), Mathiah Draeger, Isaiah Draeger (Paige Hickson), Eli Draeger, and Olivia Kunz; great-grandchildren George and Victoria Sauer, Parker and Elizabeth Sauer, Declan and Graham Hamilton, Caleb DeLange, Reese Hill, and Veira Draeger; his siblings Marge Knoll, Gerry (Greg) Stefanich, and Cathy (Bill) Gumeringer; sisters-in-law Pearl Sauer, Marilyn Sauer, and many nieces and nephews.Blessed be the memory of Willie Sauer. We are so grateful to all those who were part of his life, and particularly those who cared for Willie at Park Gardens and Vivie Hospice. We kindly ask you to remember him in your prayers.

A Funeral Service will be held 11am Monday, November 10, 2025, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls, MN. A visitation will be held from 5-7pm at St. John’s Catholic Church in Wahpeton, ND, with a prayer service at 7pm. The visitation will continue 9:30am at Our Lady of Victory. Burial and Military Honors following Mass will be at St. Otto’s Cemetery. Arrangements with Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls.