Obituary of Ruth Lucille Bauer

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ruth Lucille Bauer of Old Monroe, MO will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 4, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church near Old Monroe. Fr. Michael Lampe and Deacon Neal Westhoff will officiate with burial in Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be her sons. Ruth, 98, passed away Tuesday afternoon, October 29, 2024 at her home, surrounded by family. Born December 31, 1925 at home in the Chain of Rocks Community near Old Monroe, she was the daughter of Lawrence and Lucia “Lou” Wehde Harke. Ruth was united in marriage on June 15, 1949 in Old Monroe to Alvin Louis Bauer. This union was blessed with eleven children: William, Kenneth, Timothy, Mary Kay, Neil, Jane, Joseph, John, Carol, Jennifer and Donna. Her devotion to family was her life. Ruth was a master of resourcefulness, making due with little, but turning everything she touched into something special. Ruth was a loving homemaker, known for her pies with a flakey crust. She volunteered for Lincoln County OATS and Meals on Wheels, and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Ladies Sodality. Ruth was a proud lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, holding the distinction of oldest female member. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Lou Harke; her beloved husband of nearly 55 years, Alvin Bauer, who died on March 5, 2004; her brothers: Robert Harke, Carl Harke and his wife, Dorothy, Roy Harke, Earl Harke and Gary Harke; one sister, Harriet Bauer and her husband, Epp; her sister-in-law, Elvera Rothermich and her husband, Fritz; two brothers-in-law: Harold Bauer and Loyola Bauer and his wife, Ethyl; and three grandsons: Seth Bauer, Micah Bauer and Gabriel Bauer. Survivors include her children: William “Bill” Bauer of Winfield, MO, Kenneth Bauer and his wife, Deborah, of Foristell, MO, Timothy Bauer of Old Monroe, Mary Kay Kaimann and her husband, Charles, of Eolia, MO, Neil Bauer and his wife, Julie, of Old Monroe, Jane Runge and her husband, Tony, of Winfield, Joseph Bauer and his wife, Genia, of Old Monroe, John Bauer and his wife, Jennifer, of Old Monroe, Carol Hoelting and her husband, Phil, of Moscow Mills, MO, Jennifer Nordmann and her husband, Bill, of Old Monroe and Donna Kientzy and her husband, Rick, of Silex, MO; thirty nine grandchildren and sixty-two great-grandchildren. Ruth also leaves one sister, Kathryn Bowman of Chain of Rocks; four sisters-in-law: Bernadette Harke of Silex, Betty Harke of Warrenton, MO, Ann Harke of Chain of Rocks and Norma Harke of O'Fallon, MO; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at the Old Monroe Knights of Columbus Hall. Memorials may be made to Live Action (Pro-Life) (or) Immaculate Conception School in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.