Donald J Bauer

Donald James Bauer was born January 8, 1924.  He was born to Edward & Jeanette (Zagel) Bauer at the home his parents had built in rural Gilead, Nebraska. Dr. Newell, of Alexandria was the attending physician.

He was baptized by Rev. Fred Bangert of the Trinity Lutheran Church on January 27 ^th , 1924 at home, due to snow.  He was later confirmed March 21, 1937 by Rev. Morting of Trinity Lutheran Church of Gladstone, NE.  His memory verse was I Corinthians 6:20 “You are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

He joined an older brother, Edward.  Growing up on a farm by Gilead, NE, he attended District #81 Parochial school.  He graduated in 1941 from Alexandria High School in Alexandria, NE.

He enjoyed farming with his father and brother, driving the tractor, plowing, planting, cultivating and harvesting corn, small grains, feed crops and hay, plus milking 12 cows.  He also enjoyed repairing machinery and building fences.

Donald was drafted into the U.S. Army on June 30, 1944 and went to basic training at Little Rock, AR (Camp Robinson) for 3 months.  After basic training he was sent overseas to France, Germany and Austria.  While there he was assigned to the 42 ^nd Rainbow Division 232 Infantry Company A.  He was a member of A Browning Automatic Rifle Team.  He was on the USS George Washington on his 21 ^st birthday and celebrated on the Atlantic Ocean.  After the HF war (Battle of the Bulge) he was stationed at third Corps Headquarters, where he was supply clerk.  He was PFC & T/5 at Camp Polk, Louisiana. He was discharged June 28, 1946 and received the EAMET Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon and the Bronze Star Medal with all honors.

He returned to Gilead to resume farming with his father and brother.  He was very active in his church.  Trinity Lutheran closed in 1965, so he then moved to Grace Lutheran of Fairbury where he served on the board of Elders as chairman for many years. Don was a member of the senior choir and enjoyed singing at weddings and funerals.  He was a lifetime member of the Nebraska Farmers Union, and President of the 4 ^th District of Nebraska Farmers Union. He was also a Legionnaire member.

He enjoyed singing, playing the piano, telling jokes and good stories, his beloved Gilead gang, his family and friends and all his many cats & Sylvester.

On September 2, 1999 he met the “Love of his Life” Florence (Beck) Herman & was married.  They enjoyed traveling.  Not only was he a husband, but step-father, step-grandfather & later step-great-grandfather.  He enjoyed his great-grandkids and reunions.

Survivors are step-children Marsha (Dan) Schwan of Fairbury, Don (Rhonda) Herman of Wichita, KS, step-grandchildren Jaime (Kyle) Kubik and step-great-grandchildren Hailey & Gavin of Lincoln, Brent Schwan of Wichita, KS, Colby (Lindsey) Schwan and baby Schwan of Staplehurst, NE, Nicole & Brian Robinson, Alexis &  Riley, Brad & Kristin Herman all of Wichita, KS, Dennis & Katey Brown of Nevada, Shelly & Dustin Beachler, Connor & Emma of Waverly, Amanda & Leon Hansmeier, Lily & Elsa of Lincoln,  Nieces, nephews and spouses Gregory Bauer of Hebron, Gloria & David Giles, Martin & Alexandria of Omaha, Eric & Patty Bauer of Omaha, sister-in-law Berniece Bauer of Hebron, step-sister & brother-in-law Howard & Lois Beck, Harvey Beck, Bill & Marie Berry, Bud & Mary Emick and a host of Love for all his other friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ed & Jeanette Bauer, wife Florence (Herman) Bauer, brother Edward, step-grandson Jeffrey Schwan, stepdaughter Linda Brown and many friends and other family.

Services will be Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury with Pastor Charles Schmidt officiating.  The family will greet friends Wednesday evening from 6:30 – 8:00 at the Funeral Home. Memorials will go to the Grace Lutheran Church. Burial will be at Zion Countryside Cemetery – Gladstone.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.