Services for Verne Arlan Bauer were held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at Salem United Methodist Church in Paton, Iowa. Visitation was after 1:00 p.m. Tuesday with family present from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson. Rev. David Arulnathan of the Salem United Methodist Church in Paton provided words of comfort. Honorary bearers were: Ron Doig, Larry, Gene Kinney, James Hogge, Darrell Legore and Charles Paup. Casket bearers were: Adam Bauer, Christopher Bauer, Scott Walker, Kyle Cleaver, Kyle Ahrenholtz, Eric Happe, Joel Kelly and Steven Oswald. Dennis Klocksiem was the usher. Rochelle Fagg, Renaye Lindgren and Amanda Helms were the musicians. Hymns selected were: Take My Hand, Precious Lord; Amazing Grace; Hymn of Promise and Going Home. Congregational hymn chosen was "Hymn of Promise" #707. Military Rites were done by Paton American Legion Post. Interment took place at Paton Township Cemetery. Following the services at the cemetery was a luncheon at 209 Main in Paton.
Verne Arlan Bauer, son of Herbert Tracy Bauer and Eleanor May Bruce Bauer, was born March 23, 1935 in Grafton, NE. He was welcomed home by his older sister, Doris Marie. Verne died at his home in Paton on July 23, 2016 at the age of 81. Verne started his education in a country school in NE and in 1942, his family moved to a farm north of Yale, IA. The family later moved to a farm south of Bagley and then south of Jamaica where he graduated high school in 1953. Verne entered the U. S. Army in 1953 where he served in Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in 1955. While in high school he played the saxophone and a young lady from Perry, LaVee Hoffman, also played saxophone. They were in the Perry City band together and on November 27, 1955 were married at the Methodist Church in Perry. They have made sweet music together for nearly 61 years. They farmed in the Jamaica and Yale areas. During those years, they were blessed with three sons, Vaughn, Kevin and Warren. Those boys would tell you today that they were the ones blessed to have Verne for a father. The family moved to farm in the Paton area. In 1977, Verne had a great love for working with steel and started the Paton Machine and Welding Shop. In 1981, they moved into Paton. Verne started Bauer Built Manufacturing in 1981 and supported LaVee with her insurance business, Home Agency. Verne's dedication to his family, loving LaVee, his sons and his ever growing family was beyond measure. That love, his church and many friends sustained him through many trying health issues. Verne's love of woodworking and making many items for his grandchildren and was especially proud of the church ramp and items within the church, the coffee cabinet, flame and cross in the entry. He was a trustee of Salem Methodist Church and had served on the Paton- Churdan School Board, Paton City Council, and was Greene County Fair Pork Superintendent. Verne was well loved by his community, his many friends from near and far, and certainly by his family. He enjoyed their camping trips, Minnesota vacations and working with his sons. Verne continued to watch his sons work hard (which he taught them) and was proud of their many accomplishments. He gave his grandchildren and great grandchildren a lot of attention, playing board games, cards, and taught them, among other things, to play pinocle. They brought him much joy and they all knew of his great love for them. Verne and LaVee wintered in Arizona for several years making many dear friends and participating in various bocce ball leagues. Verne was preceded in death by his parents; precious great-grandson Lane Walker; brother-in-law Edward Kautzky; and nephews Matthew and Thomas Kautzky. Verne's memory will be cherished by his wife LaVee; sons Vaughn (Lori); Kevin (Lori) all of Paton; Warren (Debra) of Ft. Dodge; grandchildren: Angela Walker (Scott); Alison Cleaver (Kyle); Andrea Ahrenholtz (Kyle); Adam Bauer; Jennifer Happe (Eric); Christopher Bauer; Sarah Kelly (Joel); Nicole Oswald (Steven); great-grandchildren; Jackson, Addison, Kierston, and Preston Ahrenholtz; Chloe and Josie Happe; and Ella and Kenton Oswald; sister Doris Kautzky of Audubon, IA; sister-in-law Nila Edwards (Merrill) of Prescott, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.
Memorials may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home.
