James Bauer

James J. Bauer (Jim) was born October 1, 1921, to Leo and Mary Agnes Bauer on a farm in Marion County, near the small town of Bauer. He was the oldest of nine boys. He was baptized, attended school, and received his first communion at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bauer. When he finished 8th grade he began work as a hired hand at surrounding farms. As tiling Iowa fields became common in the 1930's, Jim dug trenches by hand to lay the tile. Jim served in the 116th Ordnance Company during World War II. He received four battle stars for fighting in Northern France and the Rhineland, including the Battle of the Bulge. Within 90 days of his discharge in 1946 he began to work at the Maytag Company, where he worked until retirement in 1976. Jim generally worked the night shift so he could work on farms around Newton during the day. During his retirement he continued to help with farming and animal husbandry, including work at Burkema's Angus Farm. He was widely acknowledged as an extremely hard worker. Jim always followed baseball and was a true blue Cubs fan. He was able to attend the All-Star games in Chicago in 1950, in Detroit in 1951 and in San Diego in 1992. Jim enjoyed going for drives and visiting with family and friends. Jim married Doris Turner of Knoxville in 1952 and had four children: Rachel, Mary Louise, Pauline, and Teddy. In 1977 he married Helen Swan and welcomed her two sons: Eric and Harold. Despite working two jobs, he always found the time to attend his children's concerts, recitals, and ball games. As He grew older, he enjoyed soccer and ball games of his grandchildren. Jim passed away at home on Monday, October 5, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers; and his oldest daughter and son-in-law Rachel (Chuck) Blake. Jim will be missed by his wife Helen, brother Vincent of Newton; daughters: Mary (Jon) Neiderbach and Pauline Bauer (Don) both of Des Moines; son Ted Bauer (Kristen) of Poway, CA; stepsons: Eric Swan and Harold Swan of Newton; seven grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren: Melissa Daye, Amanda Blake, Josiah and Jonas Neiderbach, Maxwell and Macon Bauer, Alex, Skai, and Caleb Swan, and Emily Bauer; and four great grandchildren. Memorials to Hospice of Jasper County, Home Care of Jasper County at Skiff Medical Center, or the American Cancer Society.