Herbert S. Hauser, 77, a longtime Elburn resident, died of natural causes Tuesday, May 21, in Firwood Healthcare Center in Batavia. Born in Aurora, Mr. Hauser grew up in Naperville and Sugar Grove and attended local schools. He found work as a young man on a farm in Yorkville, where he lived for several years before meeting his future wife, Ellanor M. Clauser. The couple married in 1945. Mr. Hauser continued to work for local farmers until 1957, when he moved his family to the John Grommes farm on Seavey Road in Yorkville. In 1967 he went to work for the Elburn Co-Op and two years later moved to Elburn. In 1972 Mr. Hauser helped build the Elburn ambulance building and became a valued volunteer as an EMT for eight years, until suffering a heart attack in 1979. He worked for the Elburn Co-Op until his retirement in 1990. Mr. Hauser loved to compete in plowing matches and won many trophies. Family members said his proudest possession was his 4020 Powershift John Deere tractor that he bought in 1963. He enjoyed playing cards for pennies, as well as playing bingo in community halls in Wasco, Batavia, St. Charles and Elburn. Family members said he was known for his homemade fudge, which was coveted by all of his children. Above all, they said he adored his grandchildren and relished the time he was able to spend making cookies and playing ball. “He was just an all-round good man, who was very proud of having been a father, a farmer and emergency aid volunteer,” said his daughter-in-law Jan. Mr. Hauser was a member of the Elburn Sunset Swingers. Besides his wife, he is survived by four sons, Neal, Steve, Mark, and Philip; two daughters, Ellen Jones and Barbara; two brothers, Ralph and Russel; five sisters, Lillian Bailey, Ruth Pierce, Mildred Benjamin, Cecelia Phillips and Nancy Lotar; and 15 grandchildren. Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Church of St. Gall, Shannon and 47th Streets, Elburn.
