Bernie M. Bauer

Bernie Bauer age 82 of Mondovi, WI passed away March 15, 2014 at the Critical Care Mayo Hospital Eau Claire, WI, with his family by his side. His passing was due to complications from heart surgery. He was born August 15th, 1931 in Hazel Green, WI. The son of Clarence and Lucille (Miller) Cullen. Bernie’s mother passed away during child birth when his youngest brother was born. When he was three years old, family circumstances forced his father to relinquish him and his three brothers Paul, Francis and Jack to the St. Michael Orphanage in La Cross, WI. He was adopted at age eight by Leo and Christine (Bremmer) Bauer and came to live in Mondovi, on a farm at that time. Bernie graduated from Mondovi High School in 1949. He married the love of his live, Geri Olson on October 25th 1952 and to this union, three children were born Kim, Kerry and Kelly. Bernie enlisted in the army in 1954 and was honorably discharged in1956. He served in Salzburg, Austria. Bernie worked as a farmer most of his life, acquiring nine farms. He also owned and operated Bernie’s Bar in Eleva. Bernie was a Senior VP of Primerica. He was also an Auctioneer and a Realtor. Most recently Bernie and Geri worked together as Coordinators for International Student Exchange program. Bernie was a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the VFW and the Knights of Columbus in Mondovi. His hobbies included reading, dancing, traveling internationally, watching Judge Judy, telling jokes and dining out with his wife. Bernie is survived by his loving wife Geri Bauer married for 61 blissful years. Daughters Kim Stanton from Mondovi; son Kerry (Cindy) Bauer from Mondovi; daughter Kelly (Fred) Paul of Menomonee Falls; grandson Casey (Sara) Stanton; granddaughter Julia (Derek) Buchholz, grandson Tom Paul; great grandson Levi Buchholz; sister in law Joanne Brion Strum, sister and brother in law Roger and Orrine Obrien and Mike and Rachel Olson Strum and Bob and Kathy Olson from Augusta and special Cousin Walter Bauer of Minneapolis, MN; Many special cousins, nieces and nephews. Bernie was preceded in death by parents Leo and Christine Bauer and Clarence and Lucille Cullen; father and mother in law Orrie and Julia Olson; twin granddaughters Melissa and Tricia Stanton. Brothers Paul, Frank and Jack Cullen. Brother in laws Joe Klimek and Walter (Bud) Brion. . A memorial gathering will be at Talbot Family Funeral Homes in Mondovi on Thursday March 20 at 4:00PM to 7:00PM. A memorial mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday March 21 at 11:00AM with an hour of visitation prior. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com