Mark Douglas Auringer, 52

Published 10:18 am Friday, January 3, 2014

Mark Douglas Auringer, 52, of Austin, Minn., died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014.

Auringer

Mark was born in St. James, Minn., on May 5, 1961, to Eugene and Lois (Olson) Auringer. He attended grade school at Central Lutheran and was a graduate of Austin High School in 1979. He married Sandra “Sandy” Rauen in Austin on his birthday in 1984. Mark worked for Woodvale/REM for a total of 17 years and enjoyed befriending the residents there. He then worked for Hormel Foods in the accounting department as a clerk for the last 17 years.

Mark was an avid sports collector and enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping and spending time at the Boundary Waters with his son Matthew. He was a member of Northwestern Singers group. Mark, his father Eugene and his older brother, Brian was in the group at the same time and that meant a lot to Mark. He loved music and gardening. His father-in-law, “Red,” loved gardening together with Mark, as Red spent his final years living at the Auringer residence. Mark was a happy and proud father and was very excited to find out he was going to be a grandfather to two grandbabies this coming summer.

Mark is survived by his wife, Sandy, of Austin; his parents, Eugene and Lois Auringer, of Austin; son, Matthew Auringer and his significant other Kareen, of Austin; daughter, Brittney (Brendon) Plowe, of Sturtevant, Wis.; siblings, Brian (Paula) Auringer, of Mantorville, Minn.; Gail (Rodney) Jensen, of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Lynn (Greg) Handzel, of Andover, Minn.; and Jason (Karla) Auringer, of Wentzville, Mo.; along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Tom Ogilvie officiating. Visitation will be held 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, at Mayer Funeral Home and again an hour before the funeral on Monday. Interment will follow the funeral at Calvary Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. John’s Radio Broadcast fund or the choice of the donor.

Online condolences at www.mayerfh.com.