Donald F. Bauer, 85
Donald F. Bauer, age 85 of Waterville, died on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, at the Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.
Born in Cannon City Township on May 18, 1931, Don was the son of Ruth (Bauer) Mechura and Clarence Bauer. He was baptized at St. John's Evangelical Church in Nerstrand in 1932 and was later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Morristown in 1946. As a young man he attended Trinity Lutheran Parochial School in North Morristown. He served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany from November 1952 until October 1954. Upon his return to the states he was married to Marna Lee Jackson on June 12, 1955 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville. Over the years since, Don has worked as a farmer and corn sheller, as a milk hauler for the Morristown Creamery, for Elmer Stangler Flooring, at Brown Printing in Waseca, at the Lake Region LIFE Newspaper in Waterville, and most recently as a custodian at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville.
He was a hardworking man that loved to work with his hands and enjoyed mechanics and carpentry. Don liked to time spent fishing, hunting, and camping, playing softball, horseshoes, and cards, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served as treasurer and on the finance board. He had also been the secretary for the Waterville Men's Bowling Association, was a member of the VFW and American Legion, and was a member of the Waterville Bowling Hall of Fame.
Donald is survived by his wife, Marna Bauer; five children, Linda (John) Lamont, Doug (Elaine Carr) Bauer, Lisa (Troy) Holling, Darren (Lori) Bauer, Dean (Cheryl) Bauer; ten grandchildren, Crystal Lamont, Christopher (Megan) Lamont, Kelsey Bauer, Kayla (fiance Dan Perry) Holling, Kyle (Kay) Holling, Derek (Alex) Bauer, Danielle Bauer, Dawson Bauer, Nate Bauer, and Nic Bauer; and two great-grandchildren, Ellie and Lane Lamont. He is also survived by seven siblings, Gladys Dieke, Dennis (Karen) Bauer, Dorothy Ernste, Maynard (Dianna) Bauer, Kenneth Bauer, and Gerharet (Mary) Bauer and Bernice Bauer; many nieces and nephews; and special family friends Harold and Bernita Spitzack and family, and Harold Kuball.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents; two brothers, Hubert (Clara) Bauer and Clarence Jr. (Ann) Bauer; one sister, Lorraine (Forrest) Welcome; one brother-in-law, Donald "Jim" Deike; and one sister-in-law, Arlene Bauer.
Visitation was held from 3-6 PM on Sunday, October 16, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville, and continued for one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Funeral services were held at 10:30 AM on Monday, October 17, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville with Rev. David Mumme officiating. Interment followed at Sakatah Cemetery in Waterville.
Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waterville is handling the arrangements. dennisfuneralhomes.com
