Betty Jane (Hoefs) Bauer
Betty Jane (Hoefs) Bauer
April 8, 1940 - November 21, 2024
Betty Jane Hoefs, the first child of Gilbert and Alice Hoefs, was born in the family farmhouse near New Prague, Minnesota. Being raised on the farm, she learned the toils and joys of farming first-hand. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Montgomery, and it was there she met and married her husband, Milton Bauer, a butcher’s son, on June 22, 1963, while he was in Veterinary school at the University of Minnesota, and she a medical technologist at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. Two years later she had her first son, Eric, before moving to Germany while Milt served in the US Air Force, and where she had her second son, Stephen, in 1968. They returned to the states, and established Southview Animal Hospital in West St. Paul, where they lived in a house behind the hospital to raise their two boys, and added a third, David, in 1975.
It was about that time they became members of Salem Lutheran Church; their spiritual home for the rest of their lives, almost 50 years. As devout Christians, Salem was the hub for their social and philanthropic missions in life.
Serving others, both near and far, was the core of Betty’s being. For many years she volunteered for the Dodge Nature Center, The Friends of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the St. Paul Boy’s Choir, but along with her gifts of love, time and treasure to family, she showed great devotion to the indigenous Kaqchikel Mayan community of San Lucas, Toliman, Guatemala. She became fluent in Spanish through college classes at the University of St. Thomas, and travelled to San Lucas to volunteer there over a dozen times, often bringing others along to introduce them to this special culture. Later, as a local advocate, she did medical translation for Spanish speakers in hospitals and clinics around the Twin Cities.
God spoke to Betty through her interactions with people, but also through the beauty of nature, especially with family while on Lake Vermilion near Cook, Minnesota. For her, the Holy Spirit was ever present in God’s creations.
Betty was well regarded as a caring, thoughtful, generous, positive, capable and reliable person. She valued hard work as much as fun and celebrations. Love was her language. Her commitment to her family was matched by her commitment to her local and global neighbors. Her joy of gift giving, special meals, honesty and sensibility were her hallmarks. The joy of others was always her joy, too.
She leaves behind three sons; Eric (Beth) of San Diego, CA, Stephen (Rady) of Chappaqua, NY, and David Bauer of Minneapolis, MN, and her brother, John Hoefs, of New Prague, MN.
All are welcome to join us in a Celebration of Life memorial gathering for Betty on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Salem Lutheran Church, 11 Bernard St. W, West St. Paul, MN, 55118. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Church service at 11 a.m. Catered Lunch at 12 p.m., or immediately following the service.
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