Frances R. Bauer

Frances Ruth Bauer, 97, of Columbus, formerly of Kearney, died Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at Golden Living Center in Columbus. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am Monday, August 29th at First United Methodist Church in Kearney. The Rev. Melody Adams will officiate. Interment will be in the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-5 pm Sunday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Buffalo County Historical Society Trails and Rails Museum or the family’s choice. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Frances was born on June 9, 1919 in Gordon, Nebraska to Albert W. and May V. (Rust) Sterling. She grew up in Gordon and graduated from Gordon High School in 1937. Following high school, she worked as a receptionist in a doctor’s office. She was united in marriage to George John Bauer on June 9, 1940 in Gordon. The couple made their home in North Platte where George was a Pharmacist. In 1946 they purchased McNary Drug in Kearney and began Bauer Drug. Mr. Bauer preceded her in death following a lengthy illness in 1958. Fran continued to run the store for 11 years, changing the name to Bauer Sundries and Veterinary Supplies. Patrons would frequent her store, many visited to enjoy soda from the last known soda fountain in Kearney. In 1969 she closed the store and worked a brief time for Kearney Floral. Fran went to work at ABC Drug in 1970, where she continued to work until retiring at the age of 80 in 1999. Shortly after retirement Fran moved to Columbus. As a small child Fran experienced difficult times, including the loss of her father and two sisters, and growing up in the sandhills of Nebraska during the Great Depression. Fran faced these difficulties with grace, love and a joy only Christ could provide. Throughout her life Fran worked vigorously with class and elegance. Twelve hour days and Sunday trips to the store to provide farmers and ranchers with veterinary supplies were very common. Fran was very proud of Kearney and has compiled several scrapbooks for many residents and businesses. She was also an avid photographer and artistically talented decorating the windows of Bauer Drug and ABC Drug. Fran also loved to garden, she especially loved to raise roses and would become affectionately known as the “Rose Lady”. She was a soft spoken, loving and caring person to all. Fran was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she received her 50-year membership pin and taught Sunday school. She was also a member and past president of the Kenwood Elementary PTA and the PTA Mothersingers. She is survived by her daughter, Terri Hirschbrunner and husband Dennis of Columbus; her daughter-in-law, Marcella Bauer of Omaha; seven grandchildren; Michelle Metschke and husband Jeff of Omaha, Kristen Muller and husband Scott of Scribner, Stephanie Mercer of Carrollton, TX, Kelli Arriola and husband Francisco of Little Elm, TX, Jennifer Kiser and husband Ben of Lincoln, Brittany Travers and husband Matt of Omaha and Brent Bauer and wife Wendy of Wisner; eight step-grandchildren, Stephanie Schmidt and husband Michael of McKinney, TX, Shana Hirschbrunner of Columbus, Pam Stoner and husband Mark of Nebraska, Jeff Jacobs and wife Janine of Phoenix, AZ, Becky Spike and husband David, Jana Jacobs of Nebraska, Andy Jacobs and wife Dee of Omaha and Blake Jacobs and wife Kristin; 13 great grandchildren; 17 step-great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren and five step-great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son, Michael “Mick” Bauer, two sisters and a step-grandson, Kirk Jacobs. ****************************************************************************************************************** Frances Ruth Bauer was welcomed into God's loving arms and reunited with those she loved who went before her on August 23 , 2016. Fran was born June 9, 1919 in Gordon, NE to Albert Winfield and May Victoria (Rust) Sterling. Her beloved Sandhills of Nebraska gave her many memories-life during the depression, seeing "Old Jules" sitting on his porch shooting birds in the orchards, going to school with Mari Sandoz's cousin, the loss of her father and sisters at an early age. She had a beautiful soprano voice and shared that gift in school and for weddings. After graduating from Gordon High School she worked for a doctor, promptly fainting at the sight of blood. She met and fell in love with her husband, George and they were married on her birthday in 1940. They moved to North Platte and were supportive of the North Platte Canteen, Frances baking goods to be shared with those arriving on the troop trains and strolling new son, Mickey to the top of the overpass to watch the trains roll in; while George, a pharmacist, volunteered spare moments as an announcer in the Canteen. In 1946 they purchased McNary Drug in Kearney. Frances could always be counted on as a volunteer for many organizations. She was a Life Member of PTA, president of Kenwood School PTA, and a member of "Mothersingers" and always civic minded. A member of First United Methodist Church she taught Sunday School for over 10 years, was active in Circle, and received her 50 year membership pin. She was especially supportive of "Old Towne Kearney". When widowed at 39, Frances took over Bauer Drug which became then Bauer Drug Sundries and Veterinary Supplies ( as she could no longer afford to pay a pharmacist) to support her son, daughter and mother. Many friendships and wonderful memories of the "family on south Central Ave." were cherished, especially the long term ones-George & Eli George from George's Grocery, Gene Shea from the barber shop, Henry Gerdes from Gerdes Variety, and a host of others! She worked 12 hour days at the store Monday through Saturday, except for Thursdays, when she did the family laundry in her Speed Queen wringer washing machine, hung the clothes on the line, and got ready to go to work at noon to finish the work day. Many a farmer would call her on Sundays to come open the store so they could get veterinary supplies for their ailing livestock. She often extended credit to families in need and made do herself with less. She never drove a vehicle so walked to and from the store and anywhere else she needed to go in Kearney. When she could no longer maintain the store she sold it in 1969 and thus went with the closing the last soda fountain in Kearney! So many wonderful friendships and memories centered around the soda fountain and candy counter at Bauer Drug! She went to work briefly at Kearney Floral. She was then asked if she might want to join the team at ABC Drug, which put her in her element designing window displays and giving her customers the special attention and warm greeting they loved. Fran worked there for nearly 30 years until she was 80 years of age. Her son, Michael (Mick) passed away in 1999, another loss endured too soon. She was not immune to trials and tribulations, all of which she faced with the same grace and dignity in which she lived her life. She loved Kearney and considered it her home. Fran was artistically creative, loved photography, and enjoyed the history of Kearney and the people and places that made it the town it was. She made scrapbooks of life stories of people and businesses and especially of those employed at ABC Drug. When Fran moved to Columbus, along with her came 39 English and tea rose bushes, as well as 4 climbing rose bushes that her husband had planted behind their drug store before he died. They had climbed up the wall of the Gerdes Variety Store, so she got on the roof, transplanted them in her yard in Kearney, and when they were moved to Columbus it took tree spades to get them out of the ground! They are now lovingly treasured by daughter, Terri in her yard and bloom only once a year during the week of George's, Frances', and Mick's birthdays and their anniversary in June. Her yard was filled with beautiful florals, but she became known as "The Rose Lady" to her neighbors and friends. She loved her cups of tea at her patio table. Fran turned a yard of sand burrs into a beautifully landscaped yard over the years-a parallel of sorts to her life. She was dearly loved by many, endeared herself to the staff at the nursing home with a smile and thank you for everything. Her loss has left a huge void in our lives here on earth, but we are so happy that she is now in God's tender loving care with those she loves and missed so much. Her grandson, Brent summed up her life in a Facebook tribute: "I can't think of anything nearly elegant enough to describe my Grandmother..... She passed away Tuesday night after living a wonderfully full 97 years. She faced many difficulties and hardships with grace, love, and a joy only Christ could provide. I firmly believe she was an immense inspiration to her children and grandchildren (and great grandchildren) on just what Strength looks like when it's cloaked in grace and elegance.

Frances R. Bauer

June 9, 1919 - August 23, 2016