Joyce M. Bauer

Obituary

Joyce Mae Bauer was born on February 16, 1928, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Roy and Wilda (Beaton) Bahneman. Joyce was baptized as a youth on June 8, 1941, by Reverend Marion F. Stuart at the Congregational of Central Presbyterian Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and was confirmed in her faith as a youth on April 18, 1943, by Pastor F. L. Oberschulte at The Evangelical Lutheran Church on Our Savior in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She received her education in Saint Paul and was a graduate of Saint Paul Central High School.

On June 22, 1957, Joyce was united in marriage to Alfred Bauer by Pastor Vernon Koefer at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After their marriage, the couple farmed in Sibley Township, Sibley County, Minnesota. They were blessed with a daughter, Debora in 1958. Joyce was employed as the Deputy Auditor for Sibley County for 17 years before her retirement. Together, Joyce and Alfred shared 39 years of marriage before his death in December 1996.

Joyce was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sibley Township where she served as the church treasurer. There she also taught Sunday School, was a member of Ladies Aid, and was a mentor for Confirmation.

Joyce loved being active in her community. She spent countless hours volunteering for the Hospital Auxiliary Group, Thrivent, Red Cross Bloodmobile, Christian Women of Today and Sertoma. During her active years in Sertoma, Joyce especially loved preparing the hamburger meat for taco sales and working in the Taco Wagon with her fellow Sertomans at Eggstravaganza and the Sibley County Fair.

Many will recall Joyce as being an expert seamstress. For many years she spent her free time taking on all types of alterations. Joyce would often times prepare her own patterns and make garments from scratch. Outside of sewing, Joyce enjoyed cross stitching, crocheting, going to ceramics, and gathering with her “Crafty Friends” to create the most beautiful cards which she sent every Christmas.

Joyce was a faithful servant of the Lord and served him well when she assumed guardianship of her granddaughter, Tara in 1997 at the age of 8 years old. To her, Joyce gifted a supportive heart full of patience, love and understanding. She had a passion for family and selflessly supported Tara from childhood into parenthood. One of her greatest joys was witnessing her love shine through Tara in raising a family of her own. Joyce loved having an active role in her great-grandchildren’s upbringing and cherished that role up until the date of her passing. It is without a doubt that Joyce’s great-grandchildren will miss her attending all their school and daily activities. Joyce was always the biggest cheerleader when it came to her family.

Joyce is survived by her:
Daughter,        Debora Guara of Naples, FL,
                           Shirley Bethke of Arlington, MN;
Grandchildren, Tara Peterson and her husband, David of Arlington, MN;
Great-Grandchildren, Barrett Peterson, Bayla Peterson and Britlyn Peterson;
Sister-in-law, Gerri Beaugrand of Saint Clair Shores, MI;
Other relatives and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her Parents, Roy and Wilda Bahneman; Husband, Alfred Bauer; Infant Son, Daniel Burback; Brother, Vern Bahneman; Son-in-law, Marvin Bethke; Daughter and Son-in-law, Beverly and Gerald Peterson.