Obituary of Inga Lisa Auer

Inga Lisa (Leonardson) Auer Inga Auer, 93, of Litchfield died on November 1st 2016. She was born in Säffle, Värmland, Sweden on August 25, 1923 to Victor and Hilda (Bengtson) Leonardson. Her family immigrated to America in 1925 and settled in Putnam, where they joined her uncle, Julius Carlson, on Walnut Street. Inga graduated from Putnam High School and Connecticut Institute of Hairdressing in Hartford, and studied Education at Central Conn. College. She taught personal grooming at Chapman Tech High School in New London. She became a full time mother in 1954 and eventually raised three children as a single parent, while working as department head at Oliver Wolcott State Technical School in Torrington, CT. As a teacher, Inga influenced, nurtured and befriended many young women who went on to careers in hairdressing and cosmetology. In 1974, she married Oscar Auer of Killingworth. They made a life together, enjoying travel and home life as they raised their 9 children and their families. Although from a distance, Inga seemed to float through life without difficulty, there were many challenges she worked to overcome. She was selfless, had tremendous strength of character, and forever kept her loved ones safe and well cared for. Inga is survived by her husband of 42 years, Oscar Auer; her children Mark Wagner and his wife Judy Kramer of Cambridge, Mass., Dr. Christian Wagner and his wife Dr. Christine Petersen of Thompson, and Wendy Lupien of Pomfret; four grandchildren: Christopher and Leslie Lupien, Erik and Elaina Wagner; 6 step-children, and 13 step-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother, Dr. Borje Orvar Leonardson of Wakefield, MA, and granddaughter, Lauren Lupien. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, November 6, at the home of her daughter Wendy at 19 Amberg Drive in Pomfret. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Community Soup Kitchen of Torrington, P.O. Box 852, Torrington, CT 06790. Share a memory at www.smithandwalkerfh.com