Isidore Francis Bauer

Isidore Francis Bauer, 94, died Friday evening, July 29, 2011.

Isidore was born in Gainesville, Texas, to Mary and Albert Bauer in 1916. He came to the Rio Grande Valley with his parents when he was 3 years old and settled in the La Feria area south of the Arroyo Colorado (also known as Bluetown). They struggled, worked hard clearing the land, and became successful farmers. Isidore was the oldest of eight children. He attended Santa Maria school and graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville, Texas in 1935.

Isidore married Eva Josephine Dudenhoeffer in 1940 and settled on a small 40-acre farm in the same area south of the Arroyo. They had six children - Jerry, David, Rick, Judy, Steve and Lisa. They surrounded their children with strong values and Christian faith. All six children attended private Catholic schools in Brownsville and received university degrees. Isidore and Eva were very proud of their children, their families and accomplishments.

In his early years as a farmer, Isidore raised vegetables, as well as the staple crops of cotton and grain, and alfalfa to feed his small herd of cattle. As the sugar industry developed in the Valley in the early 1970s, he became a charter member of the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, Inc., and began growing sugar cane.

Throughout his life, Isidore was a leader in many organizations. For numerous years, he was president of the Santa Maria School Board. In 1951, he became a charter member of the Cameron County Farm Bureau and served as a director from 1958-1997. Isidore served 33 years on the board of the La Feria Irrigation District, from 1967-2000. He also was a Dekalb seed dealer for 37 years, winning many awards as a top-seller for the company. In the early 1970s, he and Eva served on the advisory board of St. Joseph Academy and were instrumental in transforming the all-boys Catholic school into a co-ed academy. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus.

In 1980, Isidore retired from farming and he and Eva moved into La Feria. His youngest son, Steve, and his family live on the original home place where Steve continues his father's farming legacy. Isidore remained interested in his son's farming operation until his final days. Isidore and Eva were married 65 years, until Eva passed away in October 2005. His oldest daughter, Judy, has lived with and cared for him for the past six years. All of Isidore's children and grandchildren loved spending time with him and returning home to visit and help care for him. Isidore found immense joy in his family and countless friends, and most of all, loved sharing his life stories with everyone. Isidore never met a stranger.

Isidore was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Elizabeth and Albert Bauer; wife Eva; brothers Arthur, Tony and Albert; and grandson Gregory Bauer.

Isidore is survived by his children Jerry and wife Marcia; David and wife Barbara; Rick and wife Ann; Judy Garza; Steve and wife Mary Elen; and Lisa and husband Shannon Logan. Grandchildren Melissa and husband Philip, Stefanie and husband Jeff, Betsy and husband Brian, Curtis and wife Katie, Jackson, Alison and husband Jordan, Claire, Lauren, James, Monica, Arin, David, Cameron and Clay. Great-grandchildren Madeleine, Jack, Will, Jake, Katie, Ella, Kayla, Eva and Lila. Brothers Edward and Carl; sisters Regina Cholick and Edna Mitch; multiple cousins, nieces and nephews, and many adored friends.

The family wishes to thank Lydia Gonzalez for her loving and compassionate care of their father for the past two years, and for the services of United Home Care (Annie, Dora and Veronica).

Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 4, from 5-7 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in La Feria with a Rosary held at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be held Friday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Burial to follow at Restlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends may honor Isidore's memory through donations to St. Joseph Academy, 101 St. Joseph Dr., Brownsville, Texas 78520 or St. Francis Xavier Church, 500 S. Canal St., La Feria, Texas 78559.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Funeraria Del Angel, Cemeteries, Mausoleums and a Dignity Memorial Provider 2906 S Expressway 77/83 Harlingen, Texas 78550.