George Albert Auer died at home on January 8, 2026. He was born in Deadwood, South Dakota, and he was the first of four sons to Albert Auer and Mable (Karinen) Auer. He graduated from Deadwood High School and South Dakota State University. He married Helen Pontius. Elizabeth, Melinda and Jon joined the family of 62 years.

George served in the US Air Force for 21 years as a pilot, civil engineer, AFROTC instructor, and back to pilot.

After retirement he loved being outdoors and learning as much as he could about the natural world. It brought him satisfaction to be able to help others as needed.

He is survived by his wife, three children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, brother Ray (Connie) Auer, nephew Steve (Jody) Auer, and several cousins, brother-in-law, Jerry Pontius, sister-in-law, Louise (Paul) Dauphinais, sister-in-law, Linda (Roger) Sevc.

Services will be held at 11:00AM Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Lead. Burial will follow the service at 2:30PM at Black Hills National Cemetery. Full military honors provided by the Ellsworth Air Force.

In a lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to the Spearfish Ambulance Service.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Funeral Chapel of Lead, SD & Isburg Crematory of Spearfish, SD.