Huguette Blanche Gauger

Huguette Blanche Gauger, age 98, passed away on November 24, 2020 in Houston, Texas after an eventful and joyful life. Huguette was born in Paris, France on May 9, 1922 to Raymond Julien Claudel and Gabrielle Lucie Appert Claudel. She had a brother, Christian Julien Felix Claudel.

During the Liberation of Paris in WWII, she met a tall, handsome US Army soldier, David Justin Gauger. They married in Paris, France, on April 27, 1946. The new war bride boarded a ship to America to meet David in New York where her new adventures began. From the cultural life in Paris, she was introduced to life in the wild wild West of Idaho complete with wooden sidewalks, bears, real cowboys, and buffaloes.

Much to her dismay, her French high heels were promptly replaced with practical shoes ordered from a Sears’ catalogue. Her first priorities were learning how to cook and sew and to assist David to earn his Masters Degree in geology and micropaleontology.

On June 25, 1947, Huguette gave birth to Patricia Anne Gauger in Pocatello, Idaho. After David’s graduation, they moved to Casper, Wyoming, then to Bellaire, Texas. They subsequently lived in Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas. She and David remained married for 65 years until he passed away in Houston, Texas on December 12, 2011.

Huguette possessed many talents. She dabbled in ceramics, oil and watercolor painting, flower arranging, knitting, sewing, crocheting, gardening, and quilting. She joined her husband researching family genealogy, developing pictures in their dark room and collecting coins and stamps. She loved to entertain guests, often cooking elaborate French gourmet meals and was the life of the party telling stories about her life in France and her Wild Wild West experiences in the US. She brought great verve and delight to any gathering of friends and family.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Anne Gauger; her granddaughter, Lauren Christine Surrett and husbandBill Surrett; great-grandchildren Aaron Surrett and Brandon Surrett;and her honorary son, George Hamilton. Huguette is preceded in death by her husband David Gaguer; father, Raymond Julien Claudel; mother, Gabrielle Lucie Appert Claudel; and her brother, Christian Julien Felix Claudel.

The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, kindness, and support shown to us during our great loss. The family would also like to express its thanks to the caregivers at Brookdale Solana Vintage Park and at Brookdale Champions for their help and kindness. May God bless all of you and keep you safe.

The family will be outside at the porte-cochere of the Brookside Funeral Home-Champion, 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX. 77068 between 9:00 and 9:45 on Monday, December 28, 2020. There will be a remembrance cavalcade and friends are invited to pass by, remaining in their cars for distancing reasons, and express their condolences and memories to the family. Interment will follow at the VA Houston National Cemetery and due to distancing requirements, will be strictly limited to family only.