Wilfred Walter Bauer

Wilfred Walter "Streaky" Bauer, 89, Bismarck, went home to his Savior on Thursday, February 16, 2012. Services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, February 18, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1615 North 18th Street, Bismarck, with Rev. Jordan Ertl officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm Friday, February 17, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Wilfred was born December 1, 1922, in Zeeland, ND, the son of Edward and Maria Walz Bauer. He was raised and educated in Zeeland. He served with the Headquarters Squadron of the 12th Air Force in North Africa and Italy during WWII from January 1943 until his honorary discharge in November 1945. Wilfred married Esther Huber on October 15, 1942, in Sacramento, CA. Following his military service, he pursued his college education. He received a BS degree from the State Normal and Industrial College, Ellendale, ND. In 1949, he was employed by the Internal Revenue Service as a Criminal Investigator. He retired from the IRS on May 21, 1976. Following his retirement, he was employed by the North Dakota State Tax Department, also as a Criminal Investigator, for about four years on a part-time basis. In 1977, he opened his own tax service business, which he ran until he retired on April 15, 2002. Wilfred was active in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Bismarck and also The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Mandan. He served on the church councils for 40 years, taught Sunday School, and sang in the church choir for 50 years. He was a soloist for hundreds of wedding and funerals over the years. He served on the Board of Control of the Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, SD, for 24 years. He served as District Director of the WELS Reaching Out Program, was on the Synod's Board of Trustees, and was an active member in the WELS "Owls" organization. Wilfred loved serving his Lord. He greatly enjoyed playing baseball and earned his nickname of "Streaky" due to his swiftness on the field. He was an ace left-handed pitcher for teams in local amateur leagues, and he was a lifelong, devoted Yankee fan. Wilfred is survived and will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 69 years, Esther, Bismarck; five children and their spouses, Cassandra and Byron Bandelin, Eau Claire, WI, Pamela and Mark Peterson, Minneapolis, MN, Pastor Timothy and Karen Bauer, Watertown, WI, Pastor Thomas and Diane Bauer, Sturtevant, WI, and Tamara and Cornel Bandelin, Minneapolis, MN. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Stacy Dustin Holden, Lisa Shane Peterson, Paul Kate Bandelin, Rachel Phil McCormick, Rebecca Paul Koetter, Sarah Dan Reik, Leah Bauer, Seth Colleen Bauer, Anna Noah Siegmann, Bethany Bill Lee, Kristin Bauer Fiance, Paul Davidson, Megan Bauer, Caitlin Bandelin, Hannah Bandelin and Andrew Bandelin along with 23 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother and two sisters-in-law, Robert and Jan Bauer, Dickinson, ND, and Elaine Bauer, Bismarck; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Alma Levi, Fargo, Irene Boschee, Bismarck, and Carl Opstad, Topeka, KS; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Randy Bauer; his parents; two brothers, Henry and Armand Bauer and two sisters, Irma Opstad and Laura Jund. Wilfred's epitath is: Beyond the darkness of the Cross shines the brightness of Christ, beaten and scarred for my salvation. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Wilfred Walter Bauer

December 1, 1922 - February 16, 2012