Donald E Bauer
Donald (Don) Edward Bauer died June 9, 2025 exactly one week after his 99th birthday. He was born to Edward L. Bauer and Margaret (Webb) Bauer June 2, 1926, in Santa Monica CA. They moved back to Durand a year later where he grew up on the Bauer family farm in Lima Township. He attended the 1-room Duscham School through the 3rd grade and finished his education at Holy Rosary School where he graduated from high school in 1944. He frequently mentioned to his children that he graduated number 1 in his class, but failed to mention there were only 8 in his class.
He married Irma Biesterveld on October 14, 1947, at Sacred Heart Church in Mondovi. On every anniversary Don would mention that the 90 degree temperature was still the record high for that day. They remained on the family farm where Don worked with his dad until after their second child was born. The family moved to Durand in 1951 where they raised their three children, Rodney, Randy and Ruth. Most of his working career was for farm implement dealers. He worked at Farmers Machine Company for over 18 years as the bookkeeper, parts man and feed and seed salesman. He then worked at Durand Implement as the Parts Manager until his retirement in 1989. While Don retired, many of his green John Deere pants did not and the neighborhood kids called him “Mr. Green Jeans.”
In his retirement years he worked part time for his brother Gerald as bookkeeper at Toni’s Interiors. He also volunteered at the Durand Senior Center, and with his wife Irma, volunteered at Oak Leaf Care Center for over 20 years. They also volunteered in several different ways at St Mary’s Assumption Parish. They enjoyed traveling in their retirement years, taking frequent bus tours to see different sites around the country and to enjoy the music in Branson MO. The trip they took to the Holy Land was his favorite.
Don was an Honorary Life member of the Knights of Columbus. He served as treasurer of the local Durand Council for several years. Don was an avid dancer and whenever his favorite bands were performing in any of the area dance halls, Don and Irma were there. He especially enjoyed dancing to the Red Head Polka and the Blue Skirt Waltz. When Irma’s hip problem limited her dancing, all the widows would line up for their chance to dance with Don.
Don is survived by his wife Irma and children Rodney (Roberta), Birchwood WI, Randy (Nancy), Ramsey MN and Ruth Porter, Plymouth MN, 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Norman (Patricia), Durand, Brothers-in-law Bill Biesterveld, Rock Falls and Roger Biesterveld (Julie) Tilden, sisters-in law Toni Bauer and Audrey Biesterveld, Durand and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Lois Bauer and her husband Lud, Rheta Brunner and her husband Tony, brother Gerald M and brothers-in law Robert Biesterveld and wife Pat, Douglas Biesterveld and wife Kathy, Gary Biesterveld, sisters-in-law Wilma Wittig and husband Tony, Patricia Ulwelling and husband Joe, Judy Fagerland and husband Tom, and Rita Biesterveld.
Funeral Mass will be 11:00AM Saturday, June 14, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Durand with Rev Emmanuel Asamoah-Bekoe officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00AM until 10:45AM with a Eulogy just before Mass.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.