Michael "Mike" Bauer

Mike Bauer passed away at home on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, following a brief illness, with his family by his side. Michael Martin Bauer was born May 22, 1938, in Ellsworth, WI. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm in rural Ellsworth where he attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. He attended and graduated from Ellsworth High School where he was a member of FFA. Mike enlisted in the Army in March 1960. On July 2, 1960, he married Sandra Jean Schroeder in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Mike and Sandy moved to Fort Benning, GA where they welcomed sons Randy and Boyd. Following an honorable discharge they moved to Marshall, MN where their family grew with the addition of two daughters, Michelle and Jocelyn. While in Marshall, Mike worked for Ziegler’s while also an active member of the Jaycees. In 1974 the family made their way to Iowa where Mike enjoyed a successful sales career with Gibbs/Cook and Two Rivers Lift and Equipment. Following “retirement” in 2004, he worked part-time for Midwest Warehouse Solutions, Inc. until he fully retired in June 2018. Over the years, Mike enjoyed many hobbies including attending hockey games, golfing, fishing, camping, and gardening.   Mike lived his life with kindness, selflessness, and integrity. He was a giver. He was special. He was caring. Mike was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and brother-in-law. He was a cherished friend to all who knew him.   Mike is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Sandy; his children Randy (Carmen) Bauer, Boyd Bauer, Michelle (Bill) Dudek, and Jocelyn (Orrin) Bauer-Nelson; his eight grandchildren Eric Bauer, Ashley (Dylan) Havens, Hannah Dudek, Jon Bauer, Kelsey Bauer, Claire Dudek, Zachary Baker and Michael Baker; brothers and sisters Cynthia Bauer, Sally Doughty, Suzanne Ruedy, Gary Bauer, Jeanne (Richard) Phalen, Alan (Valorie) Bauer and sister-in-law Sandy Bauer as well as several loving nieces and nephews.    He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Alice Bauer, brother, Charles, and brother-in-law Bruce Doughty. Funeral services will take place Monday, October 5, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1200 Warrior Lane, Waukee, Iowa. Father Chinna Devaraj will officiate. A private burial with family will take place on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Due to COVID 19 there will be no visitation. The services will be live-streamed on Mike's Tribute Wall