Donald D Bauer

Funeral Services for Donald D. Bauer will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington, Nebraska with Pastor Victor Rasmussen, officiating.  Following the services, interment will be held at the Ft. McPherson National Cemetery, south of Maxwell, Nebraska with military honors provided by the North Platte Honor Guard in conjunction with the U.S. Navy Military Honors Team.

     Donald Dean Bauer, 85 years of age, of Cozad, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at his home in Cozad, surrounded by his family.  Donnie was born August 21, 1933 at Lexington, the eldest of thirteen children born to Alexander and Wilma Marie (Wiles) Bauer.  He received his primary education from North 17 District School, northeast of Lexington, and then attended Lexington High School.

     Following his education, he was employed by Burns and Skinner Feedlot, northeast of Lexington, prior to being inducted into the United States Navy on November 25, 1952.  Donnie served his country during the Korean War, stationed on the U.S.S. Cabildo (LSD-16) until he was honorably discharged on June 1, 1955.  He then returned home to Dawson County, where he continued his work at the feedlot as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator.

     On June 9, 1957, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Lue Knaggs at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington, and to this union the couple were blessed with three children:  Lynette, Cynthia and Dennis.  The family made their home in Lexington, until settling to Cozad, where Donnie was employed by Adolph Fasse Feedlot.  He was then employed by Platte Valley Pack at Darr, Nebraska for 17 years, and later worked as a mechanic in Lexington at Sperry New Holland for 10 years, until his retirement.

     He was a member of the First Lutheran Church at Buffalo, north of Lexington, was a proud member of the NRA, and a 41 year member of the Manning American Legion Post #111 in Lexington.  Donnie enjoyed camping, fishing, and many good times were experienced hunting deer for many years with his son, Dennis and his brothers.  He was a skilled woodworker, and especially enjoyed building duck decoys and naval ship replicas. 

     Above all, Donnie was a family man.  His family was his pride and joy, and he treasured each memory made with them.  His good memory of these moments in life gave him the ability of reciting stories in great detail to his family and friends.  These stories will be missed!  Another highlight in Donnie and Bonnie’s life was being encouraged by their family to achieve their GED’s, which they accomplished together in 1986.

     Donnie was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law:  James and Leona Knaggs; one brother, Roger Bauer; sisters-in-law:  Cathy Bauer, Carol Bauer and Joyce Bauer; brothers-in-law:  Ken Strickland, Dale Tomasek, and Fred Larson; and a niece, Linda Thomsen.

     He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of 61 years, Bonnie of Cozad; his children:  Lynn Rose and her husband, Brian of Kearney Nebraska; Cindy Owens and her husband, Keith of Nampa, Idaho; and Dennis Bauer and his wife, Linda of Millard, Nebraska; four grandchildren: Sheyenne Kayser and her husband, Spencer of Mandan, North Dakota; Jeremy Bauer and his wife, Brittany of Atkinson, Nebraska; Hope Dreesen and her husband, Paul of La Vista, Nebraska; and Shelby Bauer of Millard; three great-grandchildren:  Kiptyn and Lawsyn Bauer, and Tahlia Dreesen; five brothers:  Larry Bauer of Lexington; James Bauer of Cozad; Thomas Bauer of Farnam, Nebraska; Steven Bauer and his wife, Carol of Eddyville, Nebraska; and Michael Bauer of Bailey, Colorado; six sisters:  Phyllis Robinson and her husband, Archie of Holdrege; Beverly Tomasek of Omaha, Nebraska; Mary Bauer of Indio, California; Julia Tucker of Lee Summit, Missouri; Dorothy Larson of Loveland, Colorado; and Marilyn Stephens of Englewood, Colorado; several special brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law on the Knaggs side of the family; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

     Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad, with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

     A memorial has been established in his Donnie’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation to benefit Veterans. 

     Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family atwww.nelsonbauerfh.com

     The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska, and the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad are working in conjunction with each other to assist the family.