Gordon Gerald Schonauer, 81, Velva and formerly of Hampden, ND died on Sunday, January 21, 2007 in a Minot hospital.

Gordon was born on May 16, 1925 in Starkweather, ND to Thomas and Esther (Elfman) Schonauer. He was raised on a farm near Hampden and graduated from Hampden High School in 1943. He entered the U.S. Army on February 3, 1944 at Fort Snelling MN and served as a military policeman prior to his honorable discharge on December 9, 1946 at Fort Lewis WA. He had been accorded the Victory, Good Conduct and Asiatic Pacific Service Medals for meritorious service. He returned to North Dakota and assisted on the family farm and was employed as a pilot at the Lake Region Airport in Devils Lake from 1946 until 1950 prior to being employed at Tomlinson Motors as a salesman for six years.

Gordon married Joanne Grotjohn on May 9, 1952 in Morris MN. They made their home in Morris, MN prior to moving to Hampden in 1963 where he was employed at the local grain elevator. The family moved to Velva in 1972 where he served as the manager of the Farmer's Union elevator until 1980. He was employed by the Interstate Seed Company from 1980 until 1990 as the district sales manager until his retirement in 1990.

Gordon was a member of the Oak Valley Lutheran Church - Velva, Velva American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts and the Eagles Aerie and Elk's Lodge both in Minot. He especially enjoyed traveling, hunting and fishing.

Gordon's loving family includes his wife of 54 years Joanne; Children: Greg (Kris) Schonauer of Fergus Falls MN, Scott (Janie) Schonauer of Garrison ND, Bret (Kathleen) Schonauer of Velva ND and Kim Hurd of Velva; Grandchildren: Tom, Katie, Amber and Cara Schonauer; Amber Hanson, T.J. Dodson, Jennifer (Mike) Russell, Noelle and Holly Roberts; Great Grandchildren: Brittaney, Dawn, Josh, Shalyn and Noah Russell and McKalah Roberts; sister: Delores (Winston) Johnson of Hampden, ND and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents and brothers: Vernon and Claude.

Funeral Service: Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in Oak Valley Lutheran Church - Velva;
Interment will be in the spring in the Storlie Cemetery - Hampden, ND;
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred.