Frances Ruth (Sterling) Bauer (1919 - 2016)

Born 9 Jun 1919 in Gordon, Sheridan, Nebraska, United States

Ancestors

Wife of George John Bauer — married 9 Jun 1940 in Gordon, Sheridan, Nebraska, United States

Died 23 Aug 2016 at age 97 in Columbus, Platte, Nebraska, United States

Biography

Frances was born in 1919. She passed away in 2016.

• Fact: Residence (7 January 1920) Gordon, Sheridan, Nebraska, United States
• Fact: Residence (1930) Gordon, Sheridan, Nebraska, United States
• Fact: Residence (1935) Same Place
• Fact: Residence (1940) Gordon, Sheridan, Nebraska, United States
• Fact: Burial Kearney Cemetery, Kearney, Buffalo, Nebraska, United States

Obituary

COLUMBUS — Frances Ruth Bauer, 97, of Columbus, formerly of Kearney, died Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, at Golden Living Center in Columbus.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church in Kearney with the Rev. Melody Adams officiating. Burial will be at Kearney Cemetery. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Frances was born on June 9, 1919, in Gordon 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 married 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 and changed 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. In 1970, Fran went to work at ABC Drug, where she continued to work until she retired at age 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 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 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; seven grandchildren, Michelle Metschke and husband Jeff of Omaha, Kristen Muller and husband Scott of Scribner, Stephanie Mercer of Carrollton, Texas, Kelli Arriola and husband Francisco of Little Elm, Texas, Jennifer Kiser and husband Ben of Lincoln, Brittany Travers and husband Matt of Omaha and Brent Bauer and wife Wendy of Wisner; eight stepgrandchildren, Stephanie Schmidt and husband Michael of McKinney, Texas, Shana Hirschbrunner of Columbus, Pam Stoner and husband Mark of Nebraska, Jeff Jacobs and wife Janine of Phoenix, 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 stepgreat-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and five stepgreat-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Michael “Mick” Bauer; two sisters; and a stepgrandson, Kirk Jacobs.

Sources

• "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC29-3PT : 2 February 2021), Francis Sterling in entry for Abbert W Sterling, 1920.
• "Nebraska Marriages, 1855-1995", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZP-F6HQ : 8 June 2021), Frances Ruth Sterling in entry for George John Bauer, 1940.
• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q249-YVTP : 22 July 2020), Frances Ruth Sterling Bauer, 2016; Burial, Kearney Cemetery, Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska, USA; citing record ID 168959012, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/168959012/frances-ruth-bauer

• Frances Ruth Sterling at FamilySearch "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 06 November 2022, 21:58), entry for Frances Ruth Sterling (PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:G48B-MQF ); contributed by various users.