Maxine M. Bauer

Maxine M. Bauer, age 90, of Mt. Hope, died on Sunday, June 8, 2008, at Orchard Manor Nursing Home in rural Lancaster. She was born on August 22, 1917, in Mt. Hope Township, the daughter of Ernest and Berd (Thompson) McKichan. On October 5, 1940, Maxine was united in marriage to Carl J. Bauer at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. On February 10, 1949, their son, Gary Dean Bauer was born in Lancaster. Carl and Maxine farmed in rural Mt. Hope until 1969. After retirement, Maxine worked at the Mt. Hope Post Office and the Lansing Grocery store until December 2004. She was a member of the Mt. Hope Methodist Church and loved cooking, baking, and traveling all over the United States. More than anything, Maxine loved spending time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her sister, Helen Kress, Mt. Hope; her granddaughters, Jennifer (David) Murphy, Benton; Lisa (Matthew) Millin, Belmont; five great-grandchildren: Paige, Ian, and Holden Murphy, and Nathan and Olivia Millin; daughter-in-law, Alice Bauer of Arizona; sister-in-law, Henrietta McKichan, Stoughton; nieces, nephews, and many Mt. Hope friends.

In addition to her parents, Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Carl in 1976; her son, Gary in 2000; and her brothers and sisters: Max McKichan, Carol Stenner, Dorothy Bollard and Goodsell McKichan.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at the Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington with Pastor Mary Ann Floerke officiating. Burial was in Mt. Ida Cemetery. Friends called on Thursday, June 12, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until time of services. Maxine was a beloved sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.