Edward Bauer

Edward Martin Bauer was born June 6, 1921 at home in rural Gilead. He died on April 11, 2008 in Fairbury at the age of 86. He was baptized by his grandfather, Rev. Martin Zagel at Trinity Lutheran Church, which was west of Gladstone, on June 30, 1921. He attended and graduated from parochial school at Trinity Lutheran School west Gladstone, and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church by Rev. H.C. Marting on May 14, 1935.

He attended Gilead High School his freshman year. The next three years he attended Alexandria High School and graduated in May 1939.
He taught elementary School for two years and worked for Bauer Brothers until he was drafted into the U.S Army on April 20, 1943. He served in the medical corp. and graduated from Surgical Technician School at William Beaumont General Hospital at El Paso, Texas. He then was sent to the Hawaiian Islands and assigned to the 204th General Hospital which was sent to Guam. He served as Ward Master in the orthopedic section. He was honorably discharged at Fort Logan, Colorado on December 11, 1945.He then farmed in the Gilead area until retirement.

Ed always loved sports and played basketball and football during high school years. He also played on town teams. He played basketball in Gilead and was first baseman on Gladstone’s baseball team for many years.

He was united in marriage to Bernice Itzen on April 1, 1951 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury by Rev. Richard L. Schlect. Glenda Junker was organist.

Until May of 1954 their was home was at 706 G St. in Fairbury. Then they moved to the farm his grandfather’s homestead and spent the rest of his life farming. He was a school bus driver for Gilead Public School for 27 years.

He served in many church offices and public positions such as school board, elevator board of director, Farmers Union, and Nebraska School Improvement Association.

He was preceded in death by his father Edward Bauer and mother Jeanette (Zagel) Bauer granddaughter Dorothy Jean Giles, brother-in-laws Frank Husa and Thaine Maish.
He is survived by his wife Bernice; son, Gregory of Hebron; daughter, Gloria and husband David Giles of Omaha, and son, Eric and wife Patty of Omaha, two grandchildren, Martin and Alexandria Giles of Omaha; brother, Donald and wife, Florence of Hebron. Sister-in-laws; Irene Husa, Hebron, Anna Maish, Concordia, Kansas, Loretta Spidalieri and husband John of Port Orange, Florida, brother-in-laws; Henry Itzen and wife Mary of rural Fairbury and Donald Itzen and wife Barbara of rural Fairbury. He has survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, April 11, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury with Pastor Charles Schmidt officiating. Private family burial will be at a later date.

Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or sat quietly in a chair. Perhaps you sent a funeral spray, if so we saw it there. Perhaps you spoke the kindest words, As any friend could say; Perhaps you were not there at all, Just thought of us that day, Whatever you did to console our hearts, We thank you so much whatever the part.