Donald DeForest Bauer, age 83, was called home by his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. Donald was born to George A. and Lillian E. (Behnke) Bauer on November 20, 1934 in Weyauwega, Wisconsin. Don was a 1952 graduate of Weyauwega High School and moved to Appleton following his graduation.
Don attended Milton College off campus and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Marketing, which he was so proud of. He was formerly employed at many different places, Badger Consolidated Milk Company, E&R Construction Company and for 34 years with the Appleton Water Department as a laborer to the superintendent of Distribution. During all that time Don also served in the 32nd Division of the Wisconsin National Guard for 20 years.
He was called into active duty and served at Fort Lewis, Washington during the Korean and Berlin Crisis. Don was a life member of the American Legion Post 38 of Appleton, serving as Commander, Chairman of many committees, including House Finance, Building and Grounds, member of Scarlet Guard and the Funeral Honors Team. He was also the 9th District Commander of Wisconsin American Legion.
A member of many military organizations, the 32nd Division Veteran Association, 127th Infantry Veterans Association where he was Chief Administrator Officer. He was also on the board at Community First Credit Union. After his retirement he and his wife traveled the US and Canada while visiting friends and relatives.
He said his favorite times were when he and his wife went to Hawaii and Alaska. Don was a kind, loving, compassionate man always there for his family and friends. He enjoyed family and friends, family get-togethers, social gatherings, going to car shows and running the car show with Post 38.
He loved taking drives with the top down on his Mustang. He liked going to Riverbend and spending time in the motor home. He had fun playing sheep head with his wife and her sister Nyla and her husband Jack.
He will be remembered for his unconditional love and his heart of gold. He would go out of his way to help those in need. He was active in his church and shared his faith with family and friends.
What a joyous day, it was Christmas in July when he went to join his wife, daughters, mother and father in Heaven. Don is survived by his two daughters, Cindy (Gary) Theabo and Cathy (Tim) Bauer; eight grandchildren, Amanda (Mike) King, Andrea (Jacob) Granditzke, Atonia Kamara, Annette (Robert) Debois, Benjamin Schuelke, Robert Mandel, Cherie Mandel and Zachary Bauer, and 10 great-grandchildren, Mary, Corey, Madison, Robin, Christopher, Desiree, Darwin Jr., Nairobi, Jenna, and Isaiah, two sons-in-law, James Schuelke and Roger Mandel; two sisters, Marian Breitenfeldt and Deloris (Lowell) Bubolz and a brother-in-law, Jack Kettleson. He is also survived by a special friend, Lucy Marquardt.
Don was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Carole, parents, and grandparents, two daughters, Cheri Schuelke and Connie Mandel, grandchildren, Jamie Schuelke, AJ Mandel, Joshua Schuelke, and a great-grandson, Rasheed Kamara, brothers-in-law, Earl Breitenfeldt and Wallace Schroeder and a sister-in-law, Nyla Kettleson and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Valley Funeral Home with the Rev. Kenneth Frey officiating.
Don’s family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, August 1, from 5-8 p.m. and again on Thursday from 10 a.m. until 10:45 with military honors to follow the service. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery Weyauwega. Don’s family extends a special thank you to the caring and compassionate staff at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center of Appleton.
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