Ralph A Bauer
Dateline: Durand
Ralph A. Bauer, age 81 of Durand, was called home Monday, September 14, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Ralph was born on May 28, 1928 to August C. and Catherine (Bauer) Bauer. He attended Lima Schools and began working at the age of 16 for various garages in the Durand area. Ralph entered the Army and was a member of the 7th Calvary and served on the front lines of Korea. While driving school bus, he met his future wife, Darlene Norrish of Rock Falls, while taking her to school and back home again. Ralph and Darlene were married on September 22, 1953 at St. Mary’s in Durand. After marriage, they bought a milk route and a small farm where they raised their family. After hauling milk for 10 years, Ralph worked for Bauer Built and Schauls Gas in Durand. In 1966 he started working for T&O Plastics in Hudson. Wanting to raise his family in a small town, Ralph commuted everyday from Durand to Hudson and later to the Twin Cities when the company relocated there. Ralph always said the Rosary on the road to and from work everyday. He retired from T&O Plastics in 1992.
Ralph loved his family and working in his shed, always fixing something for someone. He was a witty character and was loved by young and old alike! Ralph loved to travel with Darlene and see America, having been to 49 of 50 states.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 55 years, Darlene, four children, Gregory (Jill) of Eau Claire, Cindy (Brent) Biederman of Durand, Barry (Joyce) Maplewood, MN, Mickey (Ann Marie) of Brooklyn Park, MN, five grandchildren, Derrick, Stacey, Deanna, Beth and Skyler, 2 great grandchildren, three sisters, Sally Doverspike and Pauline Poeschel both of Durand and Betty Parr of Mondovi, six brothers, Kenneth (Waltena) of Woodbury, MN, Darrell (Cleo) of Oregon, IL, Cletus (Darlene) of Oregon, IL, Glenn (Lora) of Mora, MN and Gary (Erika) of Fridley, MN, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Deanna Darlene in infancy one brother, Robert Bauer and one sister Florence Brunner.