Leonard P. Bauer

Leonard Peter Bauer, 85, of Cazenovia, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2020, at the Sauk County Healthcare Center in Reedsburg. Len was born on July 15, 1934 to Joseph and Genevieve (Keller) Bauer at their home in Cazenovia.

Len grew up on the family farm in Bauer Valley in rural Cazenovia and was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Germantown. He attended the Catholic school there for eight eight years and continued on to earn his high school diploma from Cazenovia High School. Len was a decorated athlete at Cazenovia High, playing basketball and baseball all four years of his high school career and earning varsity letters in each. He would recall fondly playing basketball games in the village hall, where fans lined up against the wall, the exposed woodstove stood along the court, and if the wind blew just right on a cold night, the frost that would form on the floor during games. A drastic change from today’s gymnasiums. Following graduation, Len married Erma Wells in 1952 and they bought a farm together in Cazenovia. Their marriage of 68 years was blessed with 10 children, who all grew up working on the farm. They farmed together until retiring in 2000. Following retirement from farming, Len and Erma sold off lots of land from the farm and built a successful residential subdivision in Cazenovia. Len then took up a job at Seats in Reedsburg working part-time. In addition to farming, Len always maintained a second job to help raise and support his family. Back on the farm, Erma and the kids would help to ensure everything would be done.

Len was an athlete by nature, and continued to play basketball, baseball, and softball for many years following high school. Len enjoyed watching sports on TV and never missed a day of reading the paper. He was an avid fan of Wisconsin teams, faithfully following the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers. He was a dedicated fan to his children and grandchildren as well, he would rarely miss one of their games if he could help it. He enjoyed going for his daily walks and was known to wander off the beaten path to scavenge for morels, black caps, or wild apples whenever the opportunity presented itself. Anyone who joined him for his walks learned quickly to dress for the woods, not the road, because you were never quite sure where you’d end up.

Len was later diagnosed with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, Erma and the family provided care at home until his condition necessitated admission to the memory wing at the Sauk County Healthcare Center. Len’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of the healthcare center for the exceptional care he received during the 6 ½ years he resided there.

Len is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Louise (Francis) Deitelhoff, Elmer (Helen) Bauer, Francis (Margaret) Bauer, Harold (Ann) Bauer, Irene (John) Owens, Marie (Ralph) Louis, Conrad Bauer, Everett Bauer, Bernie Bauer; children Phil Bauer and Mike Bauer, son-in-law Dave “Frenchie” Frey, and grandson Danny Bauer. Len is survived by his wife Erma, sisters-in-law Helen (Conrad) Bauer, and Lenore (Bernie) Bauer, children Elaine (Kenny) Nockerts, Steve Bauer, Joyce (Tim) Templin, Rodney (Amy Raspiller) Bauer, Roger (Jen) Bauer, Sheila (Dennis) Pickle, Sharon Frey, Kathy (Rich Greenwood) Bauer, daughters-in-law Lisa (Mike) Bauer and Amy (Phil) Cunningham-Bauer-Roy, and 28 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.

A Private family Mass of Christian Burial for Leonard will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Germantown with Father Nathan Thanaise officiating. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday, June 29, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg.

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