Winfred "Wyn" H. Bahr

LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

Wyn's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Friday, August 8, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

MADISON - Winfred “Wyn” Bahr, a devoted family man and dedicated professional, passed away suddenly at home July 24, 2025, of a heart attack. He was born on March 27, 1936, on a farm in Ferney, S.D. Wyn's early years saw his family move to Groton, S.D., and then to Davenport, Iowa, where he graduated from high school.

Wyn's remarkable career at Oscar Mayer began right after high school and spanned an impressive 45 years until his retirement. He started as an accountant and quickly rose to Head Accountant within two years, a position he held diligently for 11 years. For the next 32 years, he transitioned to business system analysis, where he single-handedly programmed Oscar Mayer's first computer systems. In 1974, Oscar Mayer transferred him to Madison, Wis., where he stayed until his retirement. Even after his official retirement, Wyn continued to contribute his expertise as a consultant for many more years. This was all accomplished with just a high school education.

Wyn met Marilyn, the love of his life, in South Dakota, when he was 16 and she was 14. He proposed to her shortly after he moved, but Marilyn said, “no” to his proposal. By the time Wyn got back to Davenport, Marilyn called and said she had changed her mind. Wyn said, “Great, but you have to come here to get the ring.” She promptly did just that and spent the whole summer with his family. They got married in 1956.

Wyn cherished spending time outdoors with his family, enjoying fishing, boating, camping and we won't even talk about all the times he loved going to the Missouri river fishing, boating and hunting pheasants in the Dakotas. He loved playing cards and even built his own home in Davenport. His visits to Branson, Mo., were a highlight, where he carefully planned numerous practical jokes.

Wyn enjoyed being a Scoutmaster for many years. Teaching life lessons to his children and many others. He enjoyed his volunteer work every year with The Salvation Army, counting money from their kettles. (Go figure.) Wyn inherited his love for all animals from his mother, a passion he shared with his children. He leaves behind his much-loved cats.

Wyn is survived by his children: son, David (Pam) Bahr and their three sons, Josh, Justin and Jonathan (Annie); daughter, Pam (Steve) Barnes and their three children, Tania Gross and her children, Charlie and Ellie; Candie (Nick) Drogsvold and their two children, Cameron and Caden; Nathan (Megan McPhee) Barnes and their two children, Tyler and Rachel; son, Tony Bahr’s two children, Devin Bahr and his son, Zayne and Austin Bahr and his daughter, Rosie; and daughter, Amy (Wade) Finke and their two children, Kyle and Ryken. He is further survived by his siblings, Annamarie Dombrowe, Gilbert (Sylvia) Bahr and Nancy (Larry) Mattusch. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn, who passed in December 2024; his son, Tony; his parents, Fred and Alvina Bahr; his sister, Inez; and his brother, Clarence.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVESTREAM may visit Wyn’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service and click on Watch Now in the Webcast section. Burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, feel free to bring a small bottle of Crown Royal for Wyn or contribute to the Crown Royal Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420