In loving memory of

MaryAnn R. Bauer
March 23, 1930 - March 7, 2011

MaryAnn R. Bauer, of Birnamwood, died Monday, March 7, 2011 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. She was 80 years old. She was born on March 23, 1930 in Langlade County, a daughter of Frank and Cecelia (Heinzen) Menting. She married William Bauer on September 14, 1955 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Phlox. He survives.

She was raised in Phlox and worked at the Weinbrenner Shoe Company factory in Antigo for several years and worked as camp cook in a logging camp. Mrs. Bauer farmed and raised her family in the Town of Aniwa and worked as secretery at Bauer Plumbing and Heating.

She was a member of St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church and was active in the Christian Mothers Society. She decorated the church altar with flower arrangements grown from her garden. Previously she taught and coordinated religous education.

Mrs. Bauer will be remembered for making and donating quilts to many charities and growing vegetables which she enjoyed donating to others. She was an avid baker and enjoyed sharing her baked goods with others. She valued time spent with her grandchildren, watching sunsets, and spending time outdoors. She enjoyed completing puzzles and reading books.

Survivors including her husband are three sons James Bauer, Aurora, Colorado, Charles (Tonya) Bauer, Birnamwood, Michael (Deborah) Bauer, Birnamwood; two daughters Mary Bauer (Bob Stumm), Chippewa Falls, Katherine Bauer, St. Louis Park, Minnesota; two grandchildren Royce and Marty Bauer; two step grandchildren Justin and Katelyn Rasmussen;
three brothers Matthew (Evelyn) Menting, Phlox, Roman (Eileen) Menting, Phlox, Alvin (Montel) Menting, Notre Dame, Indiana; four sisters Caroline Watts, Antigo, Sr. Camilla Menting, Milwaukee, Sr. Mary Anthony Menting, Merrill, Margaret Menting, Kenai, Alaska; a sister in law Jane Menting, Phlox.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a son, Raymond Bauer 1988, two brothers Harold and Robert Menting.

A funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Holy Family Catholic Church in Phlox with Rev. Charles Hoffmann and Deacon Tom Hartman officiating. Burial will take place in St. Boniface Cemetery, Aniwa. Visitation will be 3:30-8 p.m. on Thursday at the Bradley Funeral Home and 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Friday at the church. A parish wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Online condolences at www.bradleyfh.com.

Tributes

Tina Menting Smith wrote on Mar 10, 2011:

"I will miss her faithful dedication of prayer that were offered up for me daily for over fifty years, and the wisdom that she offered many times. She was an inspirational god mother. Tina"

Nathan & Loraine Harrison wrote on Mar 9, 2011:

"Although we never had the pleasure of knowing Mary, we love her daughter Kathy, like the sister we never had. And Kathy loves to tell 'Mary stories'. I guess the energy of joy doesn't stop. Thank you Mary, for Kathy."

KB wrote on Mar 9, 2011:

"Famous Family Quote... When someone asked Mary what she brought to one of Mom's Christmas dinners, ..."I considered bringing food, but that's like bringing sand to the beach.""

Kathy B wrote on Mar 9, 2011:

"When faced with picking a confirmation name, I asked my Mom how she picked "Katherine" from all of the other saints names. She said it related to favorite story of St Katherine smuggling food to the poor. When caught, the guards searched St Katherine, but instead of food, found only roses. After not finding that story in the saints book, I called out to Mom who was in the kitchen at the time. There was a long, pregnant pause followed by a girlish giggle (those that know Mom knows she doesn't giggle). "Try St. Elizabeth", she called back. Found it. Guess what my confirmation name is. Mom never could get quite all the details right in a story. : ) "