Stefan Galauner 83, of Mount Prospect died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, January 29, 2016. Stefan Galauner was born in Yugoslavia. His family immigrated to Austria when Stefan was 13 years old. Strong ties to the German community of the Danube Swabians continued throughout his life. Along with his wife, he was a proud and active member of The Society of the Danube Swabians.
Stefan met and married the love of his life Anna in 1952. In 1955 Stefan and Anna immigrated to the U.S. with their 3 year old daughter to join family in Cleveland, Ohio. Two more daughter’s would round out their family and together Stefan and Anna worked hard to live the American dream. They eventually moved to Mount Prospect where they have lived for 38 years making many memories and strong friendships with their neighbors. We are so grateful to the watchful eyes of their neighbors who have participated in helping our parents “age in place” through their many kindnesses and helpful deeds.
Stefan worked as a Tool and Die Machinist and retired after a long career at age 67. He started his interests with metal work by helping to rebuild the church bells of Vienna, Austria. He was also involved in building components for the first successful Earth orbit by a manned space capsule.
Stefan was preceded in death by his wife Anna Galauner (nee Habenschuss). The life that they shared for 55 years included a heroic fight against Parkinson’s Disease. He was a loving father to Elisabeth (Frank) Weber, Adelheid Maranto, and Helga (Tom) Milke. He was the Adored Grandfather of Eric (Agnes) Weber, Kurt (Jamie) Weber, Vanessa (Jorge) Dominguez, Andrew Milke, and Anton Maranto who share many fond memories of “Ota”. Stefan’s greatest sadness in later life was that his adored wife Anna was never able to experience the joy of their beautiful great-grandchildren: Anna, Jason, Sydney, Natalie Weber, and Christian Dominguez. He leaves behind a growing family as his death precedes the birth of yet another great-grandchild.
He was a loved brother, uncle, cousin, friend and neighbor to many who will miss him greatly and share in the joyful memories of his life.