Obituary of H. Paul Bauer

H. Paul Bauer was called unexpectedly into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, following emergency surgery on Saturday, March 12, 2011. He was born on October 26, 1923 at Mission, South Dakota, and made a child of God through Holy Baptism on November 11, 1923. He is survived by his wife, Elisabeth A. Johannes, whom he married on June 20, 1948 at St. John�s Lutheran Church, Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Together, they had seven children: John (Jacqueline) of Watertown; James (Gayle) of Lake Mills; Peter (Bonnie) of Glendale, Arizona; Paul (Rebecca) of Lake Mills; Mary (Jeff) Kurbis of Tacoma, Washington; Andrew (Rachel) of Lake Zurich, Illinois; and Elisabeth (Brett) Bender of Hamilton, Montana. They were also blessed with 25 grand children and 25 great grand children. Paul prepared himself for the public preaching ministry by attending Northwestern College, Watertown, Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin. He was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) in 1948. As a parish pastor, he served congregations in Faith, South Dakota; Minocqua, Wisconsin; rural Austin, Minnesota; North Platte, Nebraska; and Denmark, Wisconsin. The final years of his ministry were spent teaching religion and German at Manitowoc Lutheran High School. After retiring from teaching he and Elisabeth moved to Eagle River, Wisconsin. Since 2001 they lived in Lake Mills where they enjoyed attending athletic events coached by their sons James and Paul at Lakeside Lutheran High School and enjoying their growing family. The godly leadership and example he provided as a Christian parent and minister contributed to six of his children entering the Lutheran teaching ministry and one becoming a Lutheran pastor. Nine grandchildren have also trained for the public ministry of the Church. A funeral service of praise and comfort will be held at St. Paul�s Lutheran Church, 1530 South Main Street, Lake Mills, on Sunday, March 20 at 3:00 p.m. Expressions of consolation to the family can be made beginning at 2:00 p.m. as well as following the service. A light supper will be provided at 5:00 p.m. at the church. Rev. Bruce McKenney and Rev. James Rath will officiate. Memorials can be directed to the Lakeside Lutheran High School Tuition Assistance Fund and can be sent to Lakeside Lutheran High School, 231 Woodland Beach Road, Lake Mills, WI