James J. 'Jerry' Bauer

MADISON - James J. "Jerry" Bauer, age 92 passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Sebring Gardens in Madison. Jerry was born on July 7th, 1918 in Juneau, WI, the son of Oscar and Blanche (Corcoran) Bauer. He lived his early life between Juneau, Beaver Dam and Hartford and was a 1935 graduate of Hartford High School where he won the WI State mile championship as a senior. He attended college at U.W. Madison graduating in Mechanical Engineering. During his college career he was a runner and captain for the U.W. cross country and track teams. He always enjoyed telling people that he lived in the attic of the U. W. field house and had to climb a ladder to get to his room. Jerry was united in marriage to Lorraine Orvold on June 8, 1943 in Madison. He was then called to active duty and served as First Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps for three years. He had fond memories of listening to the big bands that would play during marching practice. He served in Germany after the war was completed and was the base photographer. In 1946 he returned to Madison and worked for Oscar Mayer for 37 years as a mechanical engineer. He traveled all around the U.S. and to Caracas, Venezuela, Japan and Spain overseeing the building of many of the meat packing plants. After retirement he consulted for a meat packing plant in Hungary, audited classes at the U.W. and assisted with the supervision of the construction of Olbrich Gardens. Jerry was an avid stamp collector and photographer. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing cards and curling. He was an official for U.W. track and cross country meets for numerous years and enjoyed watching his grandson play baseball for Monona Home Talent. Jerry is survived by his children, Tom (Vicki) Bauer of Alpharetta, GA, Carolyn (Dennis) Schneider of Madison, Dave (Jane) Bauer of Madison; five grandchildren, Alex (Karianne) Bauer, Katie and Michael Schneider and Emily and Scott Bauer. He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine in 1996. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 20, 2010 with Monsignor Kenneth Fiedler presiding. Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM on Sunday December 19, 2010 at GUNDERSON FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7450 University Ave., Middleton and also on Monday from 10:00AM until the time of the service at the church. The family would like to thank everyone at Sebring Gardens for the care they provided to Jerry. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace. Cemetery: Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum. Visitation: Visitation will be from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM on Sunday December 19, 2010 at GUNDERSON FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7450 University Ave., Middleton and also on Monday from 10:00AM until the time of the service at the church. Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 20, 2010 with Monsignor Kenneth Fiedler presiding.