Marilyn Bauer

Marilyn Bauer, 87, of Newell died Oct. 1, 2024, at Park View Care Center in Sac City, following a brief illness.

Funeral Mass will take place Monday, Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, Oct. 13, from 2-4 p.m., followed by a prayer vigil and rosary at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.

Marilyn Emily Vogt was born May 5, 1937, in Roselle to Theodore and Clara (Neppel) Vogt. She was baptized at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Roselle. In 1940, the Vogt family moved to Carroll, where Marilyn attended St. Lawrence Catholic School. Most recently, Marilyn was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake where she served on St. Mary’s Guild.

As the seventh of 10 children, Marilyn grew up making memories with her siblings and neighbor friends by playing games like baseball in the pasture and jumping rope in the yard. After finishing weekend chores, they had fun roller skating or going to the movies in downtown Carroll. Being born near the end of the Great Depression and growing up during the WW II era, at an early age Marilyn and her siblings learned the value of a strong work ethic by helping grow produce in the family’s huge gardens and selling the vegetables and eggs to people in the area. Sometimes Marilyn helped her father paint homes when he needed help. Like all of her sisters, she became an excellent cook, learning from her mother while making meals for the family. Her parents also taught her and her siblings the importance of believing in God. Marilyn demonstrated a strong work ethic throughout her life and practiced her faith up to her final hours.

On June 4, 1957, Marilyn married Alvin Bauer at St. Lawrence Church in Carroll. They were blessed with five children: Terry, Timothy, Jayne, Jill and Ted. Marilyn was a devoted mother, moving to Howard Street in Newell in 1976 and raising her children. She worked as a clerk at Newell Mini-Mart and a custodian at the Newell-Fonda school. In addition, Marilyn held many part-time jobs also to support her family, including cleaning the Newell Public Library, Newell Coop Elevator’s office and private homes. While working at the Mini-Mart store late one Sunday evening, the store was robbed while she was working alone. Early the next morning she was back to work. During many hot summers on the weekends and after work each day, Marilyn, her sister Bonnie, and her children often detasseled corn before taking a summer vacation. Marilyn retired from full-time employment in May 2000 at the age of 63, and continued working part-time until age 70.

After retiring from the school, Marilyn made many new memories with her sister Bonnie, taking a cruise and several bus trips to different parts of the country, including the New England states; southeastern states stopping in Branson, Nashville and Savanah; and a trip to Alaska and Canada. With her children and grandchildren, Marilyn loved seeing the sights in Hawaii, Disney World and Disneyland. But, more than anything else, Marilyn treasured time with her family. During the holidays, her family always looked forward to Marilyn’s homemade pumpkin bars, bing candy, fudge and chocolate peanut clusters. She enjoyed canning tomatoes and beets. She also made very delicious relish and sweet pickles. Marilyn loved her home. She took pride in taking care of it and tending to her lawn, summer patio plants and flower garden.

Grandma Marilyn loved her grandchildren and spending time with them. She especially enjoyed babysitting when she was needed. Each grandchild and great-grandchild was special to her in their own way and she loved them all.

Marilyn enjoyed classic country music. Her grandchildren can attest that her favorite radio station, KWMT, played nonstop in her bathroom. Through the years, she attended many concerts at the Clay County Fair, Iowa State Fair, in Branson and other venues. Her favorites were Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn and Moe Bandy. Before CDs, all of us kids fondly remember every Sunday morning after church while making breakfast, she played her favorite records on the stereo.

Marilyn will be lovingly remembered by her children: Terry Bauer of Spencer; Timothy (Angie) Bauer of Lawton; Jayne Peters (Jared Funcke) of Jefferson; Jill (William) Conlin of Albert City; Ted (Stacy) Bauer of Indianola; sisters: Corrine (John) Gollobit of Pierce, Neb.; Bonnie Vogt of Carroll; grandchildren: Laura (Tyler) Weaver, John Bauer, Katie (Dan) McMullen, Megan (Jeremiah) Avise-Rouse, Jacquelyn (Brett) Newendorp, Hannah Conlin (Cody Arneson), Alivia Bauer (Tyler Lienau), Ben Conlin, Nicholas Bauer and Max Bauer; great-grandchildren: Jerzee Bauer; Dorothy, Harrison and George McMullen; Noelle and Evelyn Avise-Rouse; Miles and Otto Newendorp; sister-in-law Judy Briggs (Phil Schilling) of Marshfield, Wis.; extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Clara Vogt; siblings: Laura (Warren) Stangl, Lloyd (Regina) Vogt, Velma (Norbert) Masching, Margaret (Glenn) Stangl, Dennis (Lois) Vogt, Mardell (Dick) Phipps and Art Vogt.