Janet Bauer

It is with deep sadness that the family of Janet Sue Bauer announces her passing on October 20, 2025, at the age of 76. Janet was born in Kansas City, Kansas on December 2, 1948, to Howard and Rosalys (Veach) Bauer. She and her family moved to Flushing, Michigan, in 1955, where she attended grade school and high school. Janet graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University in 1970, obtaining a teaching certificate, and in 1978 earned a Master of Science Degree from Eastern Michigan University.
After teaching home economics in the Bendle school system for a number of years, Janet embarked on her chosen career in the field of non-profits. Following several years on the staff of a Flint job placement organization, Action Management Company, Janet began her self-described "dream job" as the President and CEO of the Four County Community Foundation. Janet loved serving her community and shepherding the various projects through development and launch. During her 20-year tenure with Four County, the foundation's investment assets grew from $4.9 million to $16 million.
In addition to her work with Four County, Janet volunteered her time and efforts to other organizations dear to her heart, including the United Methodist Church of Romeo, The Detroit Boat Club, and the American Red Cross. She touched many lives through her kindness and steady calm. She was an avid Michigan State University fan, and attended both the 1988 and 2014 Rose Bowls (both of which MSU won).
Janet loved to travel, both in the U.S. and internationally. She was just a few states shy of visiting all 50 U.S. states, and completed the entire Route 66 from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier in 2022. She toured China just as the country was opening up to tourism, and visited Europe many times, covering the continent from top to bottom. A trip to Yosemite National Park with family was planned for next summer.
Janet is survived by her brother, Michael Bauer, sister-in-law, Mary Gauthier, nieces Emma Bauer (Craig Staples) and Alyce Bauer, and the extended Gauthier family, who adopted her as one of their own. Her wide circle of friends from both close to home and around the world will carry her memory forward with love and gratitude. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rosalys and Howard Bauer.
A celebration of Janet's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on November 29, 2025, at the Romeo United Methodist Church, 280 N. Main Street, Romeo, Michigan 48065, where family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of her remarkable life. A luncheon will be held at the church hall following the memorial. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Four County Community Foundation in honor of Janet's generous spirit https://www.4ccf.org/donate-online/ or to the Detroit Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) https://donate.detroitpbs.org/detroitpbs/tribute. Arrangements entrusted to the Muir Funeral Home & Celebration of Life Center. Be sure to share a fond memory on Janet's memorial page at www.muirfh.com.