Gerald W. Bauer, 83, of Marshfield, Wis., passed away Tuesday morning, Oct. 29, 2013, at Ministry St. Joseph Hospital in Marshfield, with his family at his side.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, Nov. 2, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Marshfield, with Father Sam Martin officiating. Suzanne Golden, along with the St. John’s Funeral Choir, provided the music for the services. Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, with his grandsons as pallbearers.
Visitation was Friday, Nov. 1, at the Rembs Funeral Home in Marshfield and again on Saturday at the church. There was an honor guard by the Knights of Columbus Assembly 1219 at the funeral home and again on Saturday at the church. The Knights of Columbus recited a rosary service Friday at Rembs Funeral Home.
Gerald was born Aug. 5, 1930, at home in rural Loyal, Wis., to Edwin and Clara (Litka) Bauer. He attended St. Mary’s Parochial school in Bakerville, Wis. He was united in marriage to Nancy J Heinze on March 31, 1951, at Corpus Christie Catholic church in Bakerville.
In Gerald’s early years, he hauled milk, farmed, operated an A & W root beer stand in Iowa with his brother Al, and was an insurance agent. He owned and operated a portable feed mill in Neillsville, Wis., and then Bauer Feed Service in Wilton. He was instrumental in establishing numerous business ventures in Spencer, Wis., and Fond du Lac, Wis., with his six sons. He especially enjoyed buying and selling cattle. Gerald was one of the first in the state to raise beefalo cattle on their farm near Wilton. Gerald and Nancy moved back to Marshfield in 1990. They enjoyed traveling, auctions, playing cards, visiting casinos, and especially spending time with their family.
Gerald was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a faithful, active member of St. John’s.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Bill (Linda) Bauer of Spencer, Mike (Sandy) Bauer of Fond du Lac, Jeri (John) Weger of Elroy, Roger (Carolyn) Bauer of Spencer, Mary (Larry) Thompson of Tomah, Betty (Roger) Gorectke of Minocqua, Wis., Jim (Colleen) Bauer of Marshfield and Dan (Kris) Bauer of Marshfield; 37 grandchildren; and 43 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by two brothers and two sisters, Albert (Alice) Bauer, Don (Joyce) Bauer, Val (Don) Hanson and Eilene Weber, all of Marshfield.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Rick, in 1991; two grandchildren, Brad Bauer in 2002 and Danielle Gorectke in 2007; two infant sisters; and one brother-in-law, Peter Weber.
The family would especially like to thank the staff of Ministry St. Joseph’s 8 North and Palliative Care for their service and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial in Gerald’s name to St. John’s Catholic Church or Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.
