Memorial Services for Roger L. Bauer will be conducted from the Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington, Nebraska on Friday, June 10, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor John Shields, officiating. A private family interment will be held at the Overton Cemetery at Overton, Nebraska prior to the Memorial Service.
Roger Lee Bauer, 74 years of age, of Overton, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2011 at his home in Overton. Roger was born April 23, 1937 at Lexington, Nebraska, the third of thirteen children born to Alexander and Wilma Marie (Wiles) Bauer. He received his primary education through the eighth grade at the North 17 District School and then graduated from Lexington High School with the class of 1954. He then pursued higher education at the Pueblo Business College in Pueblo, Colorado. Following his education, Roger served his country in the United States National Guards for six years, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
On December 27, 1959 he was united in marriage to Alyce M. McElhinny at Overton and to this union two children were born: Barry and Barb. The family made their home west of Overton. Roger owned and managed Farm and Home Services, a farm and feed supply store in Lexington for twenty-seven years. He also owned and managed Bauer Grain Elevator for five years. Throughout the years, he also farmed on the side and raised cattle and hogs. He was an investor in Centennial Swine south of Lexington. After retirement from Farm and Home Services, Roger enjoyed six years of employment at Husker-Ag John Deere at Lexington in equipment sales.
He thoroughly enjoyed giving back to his community and county, and made many friendship bonds throughout his years of service. Roger was influential in the "Our Family Highway 30 Beautification Project." His involvement in various organizations included: leader of the Overton Raiders 4-H horse club for nine years, leader of the First Time Cub Scout Pack, served on the Dawson County Extension Board, Captain of the Dawson County Plum Creekers Drill Team from 1970 – 1971, member of the Masonic Lodge and the Tri-County Shrine Club, served as a Board Member of the Dawson County Historical Society, and was honored to serve as a Dawson County Commissioner from 1994 until 2010. He was also a member of the Overton Christian Church.
Most of all, Roger loved the time spent with his family and grandchildren on weekends at their lake cabin on the southwest edge of Overton. He enjoyed following his grandsons in wrestling and basketball, and loved listening to his granddaughters in their musicals. Roger was preceded in death by his parents; and father-in-law and mother-in-law: Carl and Dee McElhinny; brother-in-law, Ken Strickland; sister-in-law, Cathy Bauer and niece, Linda Thomsen.
He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 51 years, Alyce; son, Barry Bauer and his wife, Laurie of Overton; daughter, Barb Krueger and her husband, Paul of Bladen, Nebraska; six grandchildren: Madysen and her husband, Daniel, Sam, Jalisa, Jared, Will and Mitch; six brothers: Donald Bauer and his wife, Bonnie of Cozad, Nebraska, Larry Bauer and his wife, Joyce of Lexington, James Bauer and his wife, Carol of Cozad, Thomas Bauer of Farnam, Nebraska, Steven Bauer and his wife, Carol of Eddyville, Nebraska, and Michael Bauer of Bailey, Colorado; six sisters: Phyllis Robinson and her husband, Archie of Holdrege, Beverly Tomasek and her husband, Dale of Omaha, Nebraska, Mary Bauer of Littleton, Colorado, Julia Tucker of Lee Summit, Missouri, Dorothy Larson and her husband, Fred of Loveland, Colorado, and Marilyn Stephens of Englewood, Colorado; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family on the McElhinny side and other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at the Parkview Baptist Church at 803 West 18th in Lexington from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date. Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.
