Donald J. Bauer

LANCASTER – Donald James Bauer, age 91, of Lancaster, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at St. Dominic Villa in Hazel Green. He was born on October 7, 1931, in Dubuque, IA, the son of Albert and Ethelyn (Welter) Bauer. Donald was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Hoff on September 4, 1956, at St. Rose Catholic Church in Cuba City. He was a veteran in the United States Army, serving his country in 1954 and 1955. Donald and Betty worked side by side full time farming all 66 years of their marriage.

Survivors include his loving wife, Betty; three children: Donna Olin, David (Susan), and Diane Bauer (Donald Furseth); grandchildren: Michael (Tara) Olin, Matthew (Karmen) Olin, Michael (Colleen) Bauer, Jason (Heather) Bauer, Stephen Bauer, Alan (Lacy) Bauer, and Alexis Furseth; 19 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Lillian VanNatta and Charlotte Heitkamp; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

In addition to his parents, Donald was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Ann; his sister, Eldeen (Pat) Wiederhold; brother, Robert (Edna) Bauer; infant great-grandson, Samuel John Bauer; in-laws: Mary (Willard) Wagner; Dorothy (Francis) Kliebenstein, Jerry Heitkamp, and Kenneth Freese; father and mother-in-law, John and Clara (Holzer) Hoff.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster. Burial will be at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Cuba City. Family and friends may call on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is assisting the family.