Francis J Bauer, 91
Francis J Bauer, better known to all as Frank, passed peacefully away at the age of 91 and a half on July 5, 2014.
Frank was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin on Dec 27, 1922 to Cecelia (Krause) and Joseph Bauer. He was the fifth of six children and attended St. Peter’s Grade School and Beaver Dam High School in Beaver Dam.
Frank served as a Corporal in the 358th Army Combat Engineers in England and France during World War II. After being honorably discharged in December of 1945, Frank moved to Stevens Point, where he owned a series of very successful businesses including Point Billiards, United Bar, Midstate Distributors and Northwest Liquor Company. He was the Executive Director of the Stevens Point Housing Authority from 1977 until his retirement in 1989.
Frank married the former Irene Niewiadomski on October 13, 1951 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. After their marriage the couple settled in Stevens Point. His wife Irene survives.
Frank served Stevens Point as an Alderman in the 1960’s and on multiple civic boards and committees throughout the years, including the Catholic Cemetery Board, St Stephen’s Parish Finance Council, Stevens Point Planning Commission, Foster Grandparent Board and Stevens Point Transit Advisory Committee.
He was an active member of St. Stephen’s Parish, the Stevens Point Curling Club, American Legion Post 6, the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, Stevens Point Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis.
Frank was a skilled Curler and a member of teams that won several State Championships in the Elks Club and Senior Men’s divisions. In 1985, Frank was on the team that won the title of National Senior Men’s Champions.
In Lieu of flowers a memorial in Frank’s name will be established at a later date.
During the past 4 years, Frank has been a resident at Oakridge Assisted Living Center and North Haven Assisted Living Center.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Irene (Niewiadomski), daughter Shari Weisend and her husband John, and grandchildren Rachel, Alex and Nick, and many nieces and nephews from both sides of the family. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers and sisters.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday July 9, 2014 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. Rev. Jerzy Rebacz officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Guardian Angel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home in Stevens Point and from 9:30 A.M. Wednesday morning at St. Stephens Church until the time for mass. There will be a Post 6 Funeral ritual at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Elks Ritual at 7:15 p.m. and the Knights of Columbus will combine with the parish rosary at 7:30 p.m. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com