Gerald J. Auten

GERALD J. AUTEN

Gerald J. Auten, 88, of Cass City, died Sunday, November 17, 2024 in Courtney Manor Nursing Home, Bad Axe. He was born March 31, 1936 at home in Novesta Township to Kenneth J. and Etta Mae (Collins) Auten. He married Donna Jean Bader on August 6, 1955 in the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Cass City. She died September 25, 2018.

Gerald worked as a mechanic at the Ford Garage and later as a machinist at General Cable for thirty-eight years until retiring in 1998. As a side project he owned a machine shop, Auten Machine and Tool. Gerald’s favorite pastime was refurbishing farm equipment. He also enjoyed hobby farming and raising cattle. Gerald was an active member of Cass City United Methodist Church where he served on the administrative board, the building committee, and as a trustee. Gerald and Donna were charter members of the Northwood Stompers Camper Club. Together they danced for over fifty years with the Town and Country Square Dance Club. Gerald was a proud volunteer at the Thumb Octagon Barn and Agricultural Museum. He was also a charter member of the Thumb Two Cylinder Club and held various offices in both clubs.

Gerald is survived by his children: Darlene (Riggs) Bedford of Center Line; JulAnn (Ronald) Kuenzli of Deford; Colleen (Terry) Sweeney of Cass City; Geraldine Auten of Center Line; honorary daughter, Brenda Kawecki; grandchildren: Andrea Bedford, Holly (Edward) Wilson, Emily (Kameron Bagley) Kuenzli, Katelyn (Ben) Sanders, Jennifer (Ron) Hubble, Rebecca (James) Stein, Heather (Steven) Walther; great grandchildren: Johanna, Taylor, Johnathon, Landon, Harper, Aubree, Payton, Mason, Wyatt, Gracelyn, Mary-Jane, Brooklyn; sister, Kathleen Warner of Vassar; sisters-in-law: Marjorie Caister of Cass City, Helen Hubbard of Cass City, Audrey Halas of Royal Oak, Sandra Bader of Cass City; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; in-laws: Lloyd and Irene Bader; brothers-in-law: Arthur Warner, Robert (Shirley) Bader, Dale Bader, Arthur Caister, Gene Chapin, Newell Hubbard; sister-in-law, Wanda (Ronald) Parrott.

Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 22, 2024 in Cass City United Methodist Church with Rev. Tim Callow officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Memorials may be made to Thumb Octagon Barn or Cass City United Methodist Church. Pallbearers for Mr. Auten are his sons-in-law and grandsons. 

Visitation:   2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City

                  10 to 11 a.m. Friday, November 22, 2024 in Cass City United Methodist Church

 Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City