Clarence "Rusty" Auseth

Clarence “Rusty” Auseth passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Feb. 12 at the age of 92. Rusty was born July 15, 1931 in Skunk Coulee near Galesville, Wis. the youngest of seven children to Sigurd and Hulda Auseth. Rusty grew up in Skunk Coulee until the 6^th grade when the family moved to Galesville, Wis. He attended Galesville elementary and high school where he very much enjoyed participating in athletics – football, basketball, track. After graduating from high school Rusty attended Winona State University where he also played for the Winona State University football team. He then enlisted into the United States Air Force where he served his country for 4 years including serving during the Korean War. During his service he worked as an Air Force police officer.

After coming home from serving his country he lived in Milwaukee, Wis. for a time working at the Milwaukee Brewery. He eventually moved back to the Fountain City area and started bartending for Wally’s Supper Club in Fountain City (currently known as the Wing Dam). Later he managed Louise’s Liquor Store in Bluff siding, Wis. which eventually became George’s Lounge and Liquor Store. Rusty went on to manage, own and operate George’s for nearly 30 years. After selling George’s he worked at Midtown Foods before retiring.

It was while working at Wally’s Supper Club where he met his wife Praxy (Mueller) Auseth. Together Rusty and Praxy raised 6 children. Rusty loved to tell stories of his athletic career (“4-years all conference”) and loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in athletics as well. He enjoyed watching sports on TV, especially the Packers. Rusty was president and member of the Fountain City Lions Club, a Fountain City Council member, CFC Booster Club member and a Cochrane VFW Post 10406 member. He was an avid golfer and bowler. Rusty was a great guy known by many and could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Rusty is survived by his wife of 64 years Praxy Auseth, his children Sandra (John) Gruszynski, Sonja (Jeff) Romine, Bruce (Ann) Auseth, Sheila (Keith) Litscher, Shelly (Hank) Koenig, Stacy (Steve) Popp. As well as his grandchildren Mitchell (Cassie) Abts, Brian Abts, Jacob (Beth) Abts, Bradley (Jes) Romine, Wesley (Shawnee) Romine, Jordan (Amanda) Romine, Taylor Auseth, Hayley (Hunter) Auseth, Kayla (Hayden) Fihn, Tyler Litscher, Abby (Cale) Litscher, Desiree (Doug) Hohmann, Dakota (Jessica) Koenig, Jonathan (Makenna) Cieminski, Gavin Popp, Tye Popp and Pailyn Popp. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters in law: Mary Mueller, Ray (Carol) Mueller, Jeannette (David) Sonsalla, Janice Heinz, Diane (Neal) Schaffner. He is also survived by numerous great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Rusty is preceded in death by his parents Sigurd and Hulda Auseth, his mother and father-in-law Slyvester and Theresa Mueller. He is also preceded in death by his brothers and sisters Ollie Bolzer, Clara (Minard) Hansen, Hank (Terry) Auseth, Mae (Howard) Mankie, Orville (Verna) Auseth, Sigvold (Vernell) Auseth and brothers-in-law Charlie Heinz and Peter Mueller.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Fountain City, with Father Arul Doss as Celebrant.  Burial, along with full military honors, will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.  A visitation will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and again on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the hour of the Mass all at the church.