Colonel Steven J. “Jim” Bauer, U.S. Army Retired, May 23, 1938 – August 15, 2024.
On August 15, 2024, Jim passed away peacefully due to complications from Leukemia (AML), while surrounded by family.
Jim’s funeral will be held at 4:00 PM, Friday, August 23rd, 2024, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford, WI. Military honors will follow the service and will be provided by the Medford Area Military Honors Team. A luncheon will follow the funeral service in the Holy Rosary Social Hall.
Visitation will be from 2:00 PM until the time of the service at 4:00 PM Friday, August 23rd, at Medford Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Jim was born May 23, 1938, in Milwaukee, WI, to Paul and Majella (Brunner) Bauer. He grew up in the Northwoods of WI, Lake Namekagon area, with no plumbing or electricity at times. Jim attended a one room schoolhouse through grade 8 and graduated from the Cable, WI, High School. He spent his youth on the lakes and in the Northwoods where he enjoyed hunting, fishing and recreating. He furthered his education at University for Wisconsin-Superior where he earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a major in Biology and Minors in English, Geography and Geology.
Jim joined the WI Army National Guard at the age of 17 and served in the Hayward, WI, National Guard unit where he made many of his lifelong friends and honed his leadership skills. Jim served proudly at Ft. Lewis, WA, for one year during the Berlin Crisis in 1961-1962. After 37 years, Jim retired as a Colonel. He served in many positions including Company Commander and The State Engineer at the WI State Headquarters.
During his early years, Jim worked at Telemark Ski Resort as a ski patrolman, ski instructor and eventually became the Ski Area Manager, which led to his lifelong love of skiing. He was instrumental in helping to start the American Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Race (Jim shot the starting gun for the first Birkebeiner Race). During the summers, Jim managed Historyland Recreation Complex in Hayward, WI.
Jim met his wife Bonnie at Telemark Ski Resort in 1965 and they were married in St. Paul, MN, in October of 1966.
In 1979, Jim made a career change, moved to Medford, WI, and became the Hardware Store Manager at The Medford Farm and Home Center. Eventually, Jim (and Bonnie) purchased the Hardware Store and Jim managed it until he sold the store and retired in 2002. During this time, Jim refined his business expertise and became a leader in the Medford community. A couple of notable achievements are: instrumental in the Medford Area Chamber of Commerce, Medford Area Hospital Board Member, 1990 Medford Area Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year, leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America and President of Medford Rifle and Pistol Club (MRC).
In his retirement, Jim enjoyed spending time with family, pheasant hunting, shooting sporting clays at MRC and traveling with Bonnie.
Jim was passionate about his faith and was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church as well as the Knights of Columbus
He will be missed by his wife, Bonnie Bauer; sister Judie (Bob) Pelland; son Steve (Jennifer) Bauer; son Eric (Lisa Coleman) Bauer; grandchildren Madelyn, Hannah, Jack, Olivia, Sarah, Andrew and Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Bauer.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting memorials in Jim’s name to either:
Holy Rosary Catholic School
215 South Washington, Ave
Medford, WI 54451
Or
Medford VFW Post 5729
Attn: Bill Vach - new building fund
240 South 8th Street
Medford, WI 54451