Joan M. Bauer

September 7, 1937 — January 9, 2021

It was the 7th day of September in 1937, when Arthur and Lucille Eckhoff Stucker welcomed daughter number six into their family. Joan Marie, like her five older sisters, was baptized into the Lutheran faith on October 3, 1937 and later confirmed at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stover, on May 13, 1951.

She grew up in Stover, and since she was the youngest; had the advantage of learning so much about life from her older sisters. She graduated from Stover High School in 1955 and decided to pursue a career in teaching. She attended Warrensburg to get her teaching certificate and for a short time taught at a one room school located east of Cole Camp.

It was on May 18, 1958, at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stover, when Joan was united in marriage to Larry Bauer, that her life took a completely new direction. For the next 51 years Joan and Larry devoted their lives to each other and relied on their faith to carry them through the joy of raising their children, Beth and Kenan, and the sorrow of losing infant daughter Tamera.

They worked side by side at the family business, Stover Milling, where she kept the books in good order for many years.

Joan remained a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church, where she gave so much of her time and talent as director of the church choir and teaching Sunday school. She loved challenging the choir with the “Hallelujah Chorus” at Christmas and reaffirming her faith by singing “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” at Easter, along with numerous other selections throughout the year. She and Larry also dedicated many years to leading the Bethel series at church, teaching scripture to those attending their classes.

Summers would find Joan at the lake cabin, where if you checked out the freezer you would find a stash of hot dogs, which made perfect bait for fishing for her and the grandkids. She was always ready for the next adventure with her family and in later years with friends who were always welcome on the journey.

As her children married and had families of their own, her grandchildren and then her great grandchildren, became the center of her world. Days at the lake fishing, family gatherings with her sisters and their families, holidays full of laughter and good food; these were the moments that Joan treasured.

The Stover community recognized Joan and Larry for their dedication to their community by honoring them as Grand Marshals of the Christmas parade a few short years before Larry passed away on December 31, 2009.

Joan continued to enjoy time spent with her family, even though her own health was beginning to slow her down. For the past few years she had resided at the Golden Age Living Center in Stover, enjoying outings with her kids and grandkids and visiting with her sisters and neighbors.

It was shortly after midnight, on the morning of January 9, 2021, that Joan received the promise of eternal life that was given to her on that day in October of 1937 so many years ago.

Her legacy continues with her children and their spouses; Beth and Kenny Dale and Ken and Gaylene Bauer all of Stover; her grandchildren and their spouses; Asher and Ana Dale, Jesse and Katy Dale, Desirae Heimsoth and Spencer and Candace Bauer and her great grandchildren, Lily, Kenneth and Samuel Dale, Kash and Kannan Heimsoth and William and Coleson Bauer. She is also survived by two sisters, Jean Hagedorn and Vernita Fischer-Garber and husband Don, sister-in-law Joyce Bauer all of Stover, sister -in-law Cindy Robinson and husband Eric of Lago Vista, Texas; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her beloved husband, Joan was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, Tamera Jane Bauer, three sisters, Ardella Fischer and husband Lester, Lavera Kipp and husband Warren and Arlene Kolm and husband Roland and his second wife Freida and brothers -in -law Leon Fischer, Bob Hagedorn, and Jim Bauer.

The family will receive friends from 4:00p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover. Masks are requested and Social Distancing will be observed.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 14, at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stover with Pastor Tom Tuura officiating. Masks are requested and Social Distancing will be observed.

Burial will be in the Kipp Addition of the Stover Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church.