Leonard E. Bauer
July 31, 1923 — January 10, 2014
Leonard Eugene Bauer, son of Elmer and Margaret (Hogan) Bauer was born on July 31, 1923 in Avoca, Iowa. Leonard attended school in Avoca and graduated with the class of 1941 of Avoca High School.
After high school, Leonard enlisted the United States Coast in August of 1941. Leonard’s ship, the USCGC Roger B. Taney was docked in Honolulu harbor on December 7, 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl and Honolulu Harbors. Leonard continued to serve in the Coast Guard through the surrender of Japan and afterwards transporting troops home from the South Pacific. After his honorable discharge, Leonard returned to Avoca where he took a position with the Iowa Light and Power Company, a forerunner of MidAmerican Energy.
While working at Iowa Power, Leonard met his future wife, Myrtle Louise Andersen. On February 1, 1947, Leonard and Myrtle were married by Myrtle’s father, Rev. Alfred Andersen in Avoca at the English Lutheran Church. They were the parents of two sons: James and David. Leonard continued working for Iowa Power and Light for over thirty-five years until his retirement in October of 1982.
Leonard and Myrtle enjoyed traveling to see family and friends as well as touring around the country. They were fortunate enough to take two trips to Hawaii for reunions with other Taney shipmates as well as taking two cruises to Alaska. Leonard and Myrtle were married for sixty-one years before Myrtle passed away on March 27, 2009 in Avoca, Iowa. Both Leonard and Myrtle were longtime members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca.
Leonard resided in Avoca all his life and stayed at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center and later made his residency at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa and this is where he died on January 10, 2014 having attained the age of ninety years, five months and ten days.
In addition to his parents and wife, Leonard was preceded in death by his brother, Everett. He is survived by his son, James Bauer and his wife Mary of Billings, Montana and their children: Hillari Bauer of Portland, Oregon; Sloan Bauer and Chase Bauer both of Bozeman, Montana and son David Bauer of Williston, North Dakota and his children: Christopher Bauer and his wife Brooke of Omaha, Nebraska; Jennifer (Bauer) Mahan and her husband Tyler of Creston, Iowa; Travis Bauer also of Omaha and Nickolas Bauer currently stationed in Hawaii as a member of the United States Army. Leonard also is survived by two great grandchildren, Kaden and Aubree Mahan of Creston; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Pastor Eric Meissner officiated the 10:30 AM funeral service on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. Music was provided by Shirley Pattee. Serving as casket bearers were Sloan Bauer, Christopher Bauer, Travis Bauer, Tim Barrett, Marty Erickson, and David Holst. Military Honors were provided by the Avoca American Legion Fred Funston Post No. 227. Interment was held at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota on Wednesday, January 15, 2014.
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After high school, Leonard enlisted the United States Coast in August of 1941. Leonard’s ship, the USCGC Roger B. Taney was docked in Honolulu harbor on December 7, 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl and Honolulu Harbors. Leonard continued to serve in the Coast Guard through the surrender of Japan and afterwards transporting troops home from the South Pacific. After his honorable discharge, Leonard returned to Avoca where he took a position with the Iowa Light and Power Company, a forerunner of MidAmerican Energy.
While working at Iowa Power, Leonard met his future wife, Myrtle Louise Andersen. On February 1, 1947, Leonard and Myrtle were married by Myrtle’s father, Rev. Alfred Andersen in Avoca at the English Lutheran Church. They were the parents of two sons: James and David. Leonard continued working for Iowa Power and Light for over thirty-five years until his retirement in October of 1982.
Leonard and Myrtle enjoyed traveling to see family and friends as well as touring around the country. They were fortunate enough to take two trips to Hawaii for reunions with other Taney shipmates as well as taking two cruises to Alaska. Leonard and Myrtle were married for sixty-one years before Myrtle passed away on March 27, 2009 in Avoca, Iowa. Both Leonard and Myrtle were longtime members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca.
Leonard resided in Avoca all his life and stayed at the Avoca Nursing and Rehab Center and later made his residency at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa and this is where he died on January 10, 2014 having attained the age of ninety years, five months and ten days.
In addition to his parents and wife, Leonard was preceded in death by his brother, Everett. He is survived by his son, James Bauer and his wife Mary of Billings, Montana and their children: Hillari Bauer of Portland, Oregon; Sloan Bauer and Chase Bauer both of Bozeman, Montana and son David Bauer of Williston, North Dakota and his children: Christopher Bauer and his wife Brooke of Omaha, Nebraska; Jennifer (Bauer) Mahan and her husband Tyler of Creston, Iowa; Travis Bauer also of Omaha and Nickolas Bauer currently stationed in Hawaii as a member of the United States Army. Leonard also is survived by two great grandchildren, Kaden and Aubree Mahan of Creston; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Pastor Eric Meissner officiated the 10:30 AM funeral service on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. Music was provided by Shirley Pattee. Serving as casket bearers were Sloan Bauer, Christopher Bauer, Travis Bauer, Tim Barrett, Marty Erickson, and David Holst. Military Honors were provided by the Avoca American Legion Fred Funston Post No. 227. Interment was held at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, South Dakota on Wednesday, January 15, 2014.
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