Irma A. Bauer, nee Sell, 101, of West Bend, died Thur. July 28, 2005 at the Beechwood Rest Home where she had resided for the past nine years.
She was born on Feb. 23, 1904 in Kohlsville to the late Carl and Alma (nee Metzner) Sell. She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. John's United Church of Christ one mile south of Kohlsville on the corner of Hwy. W and Beaver Dam Road.
She attended the Kohlsville school and West Bend High School. After graduating from Milwaukee County Normal School she began teaching in the local rural schools in the town of Wayne.
On June 2, 1927 she married Victor Bauer and together they farmed the Bauer Homestead in the town of Wayne. To supplement the farm income, Irma began working for the Washington-Ozaukee County Dairy Herd Improvement Association, a position she held for over 30 years, retiring in 1984.
Both Victor and Irma were active members of St. John's United Church of Christ, Kohlsville. Irma was the church's organist for many years.
Due to Victor's poor health, they sold the farm in 1973 and moved to Deerfield Ave. in West Bend. Her husband preceded her in death on July 9, 1975 and Irma continued living alone.
Irma became active in many organizations. She enjoyed her homemakers, Young at Heart, and Senior Citizens group and also loved to play cards, mainly Sheepshead. She became a volunteer at the Washington County Historical Society and was honored with a plaque for her many years of service.
But above all, she put her family above everything. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and they in turn loved her as much. Irma and her aunt, Linda Becker, sewed many, many quilts, with all family members receiving a much cherished quilt.
Due to failing health, Irma entered the Beechwood Rest Home in 1996, it being close to her daughter's home near Cascade. She lived there until her death. Irma's love of genealogy, found her writing many family histories. Much of that information has been handed down to her daughter who continues to do family histories.
She leaves to mourn, two children, Clifford (Helene) Bauer of New Hampshire, and Joyce Gerlach of rural Cascade; six grandchildren, Jeffery (Bonnie) Bauer, Nancy (Charlie) Shaw, Steve (Debbie) Bauer, and Ann (Ed) Parsons, all of New Hampshire, and Wayne (Sue) Gerlach and Todd (Tracy) Gerlach, both of rural Cascade; 11 great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Amanda Albrecht, a brother-in-law, Adam Albrecht, and a son-in-law, Edwin Gerlach.
Funeral services will be held on Sat. July 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the Myrhum - Patten Funeral Home, West Bend. Rev. David Wernekce will officiate and burial will be in St. John's United Church of Christ Cemetery, Kohlsville, on Sun. at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Sat. from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff and volunteers of the Beechwood Rest Home for the excellent care and devotion that was given to Irma.