Obit: Bauer, Augusta Wilhelmina (1918 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ahrens, Bauer, Bowles, Hunken, Strunk

----Source: The Ladysmith News (Ladysmith, WI) 8/10/2018

Bauer, Augusta Wilhelmina (Ahrens) (29 JAN 1918 - 7 AUG 2018)

Augusta Wilhelmina Bauer (Ahrens), age 100, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, at Cottage Wood Senior Communities in Rochester, Minn., after 76 continuous years of residence in her Ladysmith home until a few weeks before her death.

Augusta was born to William and Augusta (Hunken) Ahrens on Jan. 29, 1918, in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1937 she graduated from Packer Collegiate Institute in New York City, before attending Wellesley College.

She was united in marriage to Dr. William B.A.J. Bauer on June 13, 1939. In 1942, the couple moved to Ladysmith where Dr. Bauer established his medical practice.

“Gussie,” as she became known, was a devoted mother of five children. She quickly developed many friendships in Ladysmith. She enjoyed hosting parties in her home overlooking the Flambeau River. She was a Cub Scout den mother and also became involved in Girl Scouts for 20 years. She belonged to a bridge club and played in a women’s golf league.

She served on the Ladysmith School Board and also on a local college board. She was active with the Congregational Church Women’s Fellowship, Ladysmith Woman’s Club and Hospital Auxiliary.

In her early fifties she earned a Masters degree in Education School Psychology and took a position at the high school. Her reputation as a passionate, caring
individual was well-known to many students.

Augusta is survived by her five children, Christine Augusta, William B.A.J. II, Mark Ahrens (Cynthia), Timothy Hunken (Judy Strunk) and Catherine Marie. She is further survived by 19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and other relatives and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William B.A.J. Bauer; her granddaughter, Amanda Bauer and her great-grandson, Noah Bauer.

Special thanks to a dedicated, kind team of local Ladysmith women who provided personal in-home care over the past few years. Also thanks to the staff at Cottage Wood Senior Communities and Heartland Hospice, both of Rochester.

A celebration of her life is planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25 at United Church of Christ with Pastor Bowles officiating. Visitation will take place from 10-11 a.m. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery with a luncheon thereafter at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Power House Youth Center, Light House Homeless Shelters or Hope Lutheran Food Pantry.