Leslie "Les" Jerome Ausen

October 26, 1922 - April 4, 2015

Leslie “Les” J. Ausen, 92, formerly of Rockford, IA died on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage, IA. A Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church, 805 E Main St., Rockford, IA. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. with a one hour prior visitation on Friday, April 10, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Bob Schuerer officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Rockford. Les was born on October 26, 1922 in rural Lake Mills, IA to John and Gena (Sanvik) Ausen. He graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1940. Shortly after, Les met the love of his life, Arlene Haugen. In 1944, Les was drafted into the Army and the couple became engaged shortly before he deployed to Europe. He served during WWII, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and earned a Purple Heart after being wounded while serving in Italy. On August 11, 1946 he was united in marriage to Arlene at the Winnebago Church in Lake Mills. They resided in Ames, IA while Les earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education at Iowa State. In 1949, the couple moved to Rockford, IA where Les taught Vocational Agriculture at RRMR Schools for 36 years until he retired in 1985. Les loved teaching both students and adult continuing education classes in the Rudd, Rockford and Marble Rock communities. Les was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church and served on several church committees. He was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, American Legion in Rockford and Osage, and a charter member of the Rockford Lions Club. In his free time Les enjoyed fishing trips to Canada, golfing, reading and wintering in Florida. Above all else, Les enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his agricultural legacy left in the Rockford community. Those left to cherish his memory include four children: Kathy Ausen of Winston Salem, NC, John (Karen) Ausen of Des Moines, IA, Julie (Kevin) Roske of Hillsdale, WI and Jane (Daryl) Larson of Nora Springs, IA; brother, Robert (Yvonne) Ausen of Janesville, WI; grandchildren, Nicol (Marcus) Jones, Danielle (Ken) Sturgis, Nathaniel (Liz) Roske, Joshua (Tanya) Roske, Eric Larson and Laura (Aaron) Cunningham; and Great-Grandchildren, Gianna and Dominic Jones and Makenna, Korbin and Emmett Roske. He was preceded in death by wife Arlene in 2010, his parents and his brothers and sisters. Online condolences may be left at www.fullertonfh.com. Arrangements are with Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 302 West Main, Rockford, Iowa 50468 641-756-3311, www.Fullertonfh.com