CHESTER T. AUCH, 88

Chester T. Auch, 88, of Bennington, died Feb. 19, 2008, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Blair.

Funeral services were Feb. 23, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington. Interment was at the German Cemetery in Bennington. Military honors were conducted by American Post No. 266 of Bennington.

Chester Travis Auch was born Jan. 11, 1920, on the family farm north of Bennington to Gustav and Sophie Auch. He grew up on the farm and attended Washington Grade School and graduated from Bennington High School in 1937. He was baptized at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington. He rode his horse to school, worked for the neighbors, participated in basketball and attended many youth church activities.

In October of 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He aspired to be a pilot but inner ear problems forced him to divert to the mechanics program where he rose to the level of staff sergeant and served as a flight chief. He was 27 hours short of 5,000 hours in the air. He was involved in action in the western and central Pacific, Northern Solomons, Southern Philippines, Eastern Mandates, China, Guadalcanal and New Guinea Luzon. He was discharged in August of 1945 and he returned home to farm.

He married LaVonne Heger of May 15, 1954, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington. The couple made their home at the family farm until 1980 when they moved into Bennington.

Mr. Auch was a lifelong farmer. He loved the work even after he was long retired. He was happiest when he could visit the farm daily and spend time talking about the farm and all the daily activities involved.

He was a member of American Legion Post No. 266 in Bennington, the Washington County Fair Board and Washington County Extension Board. He was proud of his family and enjoyed attending the activities of his grandchildren.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Londo and Lorna of Bennington, a grandson, a granddaughter and her spouse. He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVonne.

Hadan-Golden-Reichmuth Funeral Home in Bennington was in charge of arrangements.

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, February 21, 2008

AUCH –Chester, age 88 years of Bennington, NE. Survived by son and daughter-in-law, Londo and Lorna, of Bennington, NE; grandchildren, Adrienne and Bruce Larsen and Andrew Auch, all of Bennington, NE, many cousins and friends.

VISITATION Friday from noon to 8 PM with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 at the funeral home.

FUNERAL Saturday 10 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington. Interment German Cemetery.

Memorials to the American Legion Post #266 Scholarship Fund.

HADAN-GOLDEN-REICHMUTH, Bennington, NE 238-2291