John Fredrich Bauman (1867-

BAYMAN, REITSONE, MEYERS, STRENGE

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/23/2016 at 20:34:18

Once again the Lord has redeemed His precious promise, "I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am you may be also." Last Friday the soul of Mr. Fred Bauman was received into the heavenly mansions prepared for him by his Savior and Redeemer.

John Fredrich Bauman was born at Carlton, Wisc., on April 16, 1867. The son of Joseph Bauman and his wife Reka, nee Reitsone, he was one of a family of six children. At the age of 12, he was left an orphan due to the ravages of a plague of black diptheria which took the lives of two brothers, two sisters and the father.

Baptized in infancy he was confirmed at the age of 14 in the Lutheran faith in his native state. Soon thereafter he moved to northern Illinois, where he found employment as a farm hand near Winnebago. Later he started farming on his own on the same place.

It was while he was living here that he was united in marriage with Ella Meyers on Dec. 12, 1888 at Pecatonica, Ill. In 1895 the family moved to Iowa and first settled on a farm southwest of Melvin. Five years later he purchased and moved to the farm two miles west of Melvin. After 14 years of farming they moved to the town of Melvin, where he plied the carpenter trade until the year 1937 when major surgery made it necessary to lay down the work tools. They spent much of their summer time at their cabin at Lake Okoboji or were busy with garden and flowers at home.

Fred was always active in civic work holding such positions as Township trustee, member of the town council and member of the school board on which board he served as chairman for 25 years. But of most importance to him was his activities in the Church. Here he served as member of the church council, as delegate and on various committees. He was one of a committee of three that originally brought the Lutheran church to the town of Melvin. He served on both the parsonage and church building committees while those projects were in progress.

As a christian father his seasoned and deliberate counsel was sought not only by his family but by many friends as well.

The Lord blessed their marriage union with five children, three sons and two daughters. From the oldest to the youngest they were: Albert, May, Rosa, George and Clarence. As for Clarence, he passed away in his infancy in 1909. Albert and Rosa were called to their eternal rest during the influenza epidemic of 1918. May, Mrs. John Strenge at Melvin, and George of Sibley join their mother in accompanying the body to its last resting place. He is furthermore survived by five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

In 1937 he submitted to major surgery, but ever since that time has had attacks of internal disorder. The last few months he was doing exceptional­ly well, but last Tuesday evening he was stricken with another attack. With immediate medical attention he appeared much improved the next two days, but Friday morning it became apparent that his case was critical and required hospitalization. This was done at once, but he passed away at the Osceola County hospital in Sibley at 2 p. m. Friday afternoon, May 16. He reached the age of 85 years, one month and three days.

Funeral services were held for him Monday afternoon at the American Lutheran church in Melvin with the pastor of the church, the Rev A H. Geske, officiating and his former pastor, the Rev. George Goeken of Eldorado, Iowa, preaching the sermon. Interment was made on the family lot in the Sanborn cemetery.

Sanborn Pioneer, Sanborn, Iowa, May 22, 1952