Mary Bauer

Mary Jo Bauer passed away Monday, August 23, 2021. Life started for her in Kirksville, MO, on May 19, 1933 as the daughter of Willis and Marie Christner. The big event of her childhood, besides her little sister Georgia, was at age eight when the family’s moved to Elkhorn, WI.  She quickly learned to drop the southern accent and speak the ‘language of Wisconsin.’ After graduation from Lawrence University, she moved to Wausau where she met the love of her life, marrying Keith Bauer in 1957.  She was a biology teacher, wife, mother, and dairy farmer.   She was active for decades in Wisconsin Women for Agriculture and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Wausau.  Mary Jo was also a card shark, at least to those who challenged her at 500 or Cribbage.

She is survived by her children Mark Bauer, Roger (Linda) Wiard-Bauer, Bette Montgomery, and Paul (Michelle) Bauer; grandchildren Willis and Clark (Krista) Bauer,  Marika and Kirsten Wiard-Bauer,  Michael Montgomery, Nicki (CJ) Campuzano, Ashley Vorass, Jacob (Claire) and Abbi Bauer, as well as many nieces, nephews, great- and great-great grandchildren.

Mary Jo is the last of her generation in the family, preceded in death by her husband Keith, her sister Georgia, and her much loved brother- and sister in-laws Elaine (Don), Dean (Margaret), Tenis, and Peter (Beverly).

We would like to thank the staff at Sylvan Crossing on Evergreen as well as Aspirus Hospice Care for the excellent care in her final days.

A memorial service will be held at Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau, with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. and service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August, 28th, 2021.