Gerald Lee Bauman

Gerald Lee Bauman passed away Friday, December 11, 2020 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg at the age of 84. Jerry was born October 11, 1936 in Gothenburg, Nebraska to Roy and Anna (Block) Bauman, the youngest of the four Bauman brothers. Jerry attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He returned to the family farm, working alongside two of his brothers and father.

Jerry met Jeralyn Hummel, a young widow with a small daughter, Mindy, and fell in love with both of them. They were married at St. Alban's in McCook, Nebraska on April 26, 1962. On July 21, 1964, Mindy's biggest wish came true, a baby brother, Andrew Lee was born. Jerry left the family farm and started his own land leveling construction company and spent 18 years working and raising their family in Gothenburg.

In 1978, they relocated to Enders, Nebraska eventually ending up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, falling in love with the “Land of Enchantment”. They spent 15 happy years there until Jeralyn's death in 2000.

Jerry moved back to Cozad and later to Imperial. He married Mary Lou Swanson in December 2001. Eventually, the couple moved to Kearney, Nebraska where they were avid Storm Hockey fans. With a number of grandchildren in this blended family, the couple kept busy attending activities of the Youngs, Baumans and Swansons.

With Mary Lou's failing health resulting in a permanent move to a care facility, Jerry moved back to Cozad, residing at Meadowlark Pointe Assisted Living. He loved the apartment he shared with his dog, Charlie, and the "independence with benefits": housekeeping, great meals, new (and old) friends, activities, and a wonderful staff to see to his needs.

Due to lingering health issues that were taking longer than he wanted to resolve, he made the decision to move to Hilltop Care Center in Gothenburg on December 7. His fervent prayers to go Home were answered on December 11.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jeralyn; grandson, Logan Bauman; 3 brothers and their wives; a sister-in-law and her husband.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou Swanson of Kearney; daughter, Mindy (Marc) Young of Cozad; son, Andy (Karla) Bauman of Parker, CO; grandchildren, Dreu (Brynn) Young, Alyson Young (Harrison Racek), Conor Young and Alyse Bauman; great grandchildren, Maddux Young and Eastyn Green; Mary Lou’s sons Owen (Claudette) Swanson of Imperial, Mark (Kristi) Swanson of Phillipsburg, KS; grandchildren Danielle (Jason) Bonsack, CJ (Vanessa) Swanson, Michal (Angie) Swanson, Matt (Abbie) Swanson, Kyle Swanson, Katelyn Swanson (Clay Money); great-grandchildren Judson, Delanie, Westin, Emersyn, Macon, and Keller Bonsack, Cash and Maesa Swanson, Tenley and Raegen Swanson and Jackson Swanson; and Jerry’s numerous beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

Due to the concerns and safety of others, a private service for family and close friends will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad. Inurnment will take place at 11:00 AM (Mountain Time) on December 26, 2020 at Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta, NE.  In lieu of flowers or donations, the family requests you instead honor your own loved ones with the gift of your time or by providing random acts of kindness toward others.  The family will be making donations to Alzheimer’s Research, Meadowlark Pointe, and other favorite charities.