In Memory of Joan Bauer

Joan Bauer, age 76, of Ogilvie, formerly of Isanti died on March 27, 2011 at home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 2nd at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Isanti with Father Jose Edayadiyil as Celebrant. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Friday, April 1st at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St. Kathryn’s Cemetery.

Mom was born at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 2-4-35 at 10:30 am to Joseph Theodore Knoll and Nadine Iola Greiner. She grew up in the Minneapolis area. Mom met Dad by accident at the age of seventeen, she was supposed to go on a date with another guy and ended up going on a date with Dad. Mom and Dad married in Mason City, Iowa in 1952 after 3 months of courting. Mom worked for Honeywell for the first five years of their marriage and then quit and became a homemaker for the rest of her life. They had twelve children, two died at the time of birth: Joseph and Tonya. She lost another son: Freddy B at the age of 42 which was very devastating for her.

Mom led a very active life. She was an avid bowler and very respected in the bowling community. She enjoyed bowling for many years. She began bowling in 1968 at Rainbow lanes and competed in many different leagues over the years. She maintained an average in the 180’s for many years. Mom blasted a 278 for her highest game in the Women’s All Star Bowl at Earl Brown Bowl in Brooklyn Center.

Mom had many hobbies including thread and liquid embroidery, reading, dancing, playing cards, cooking, baking, playing horseshoes, fishing, going to country music concerts and her all time favorite “shopping”. We all said she should own stock in Wal-Mart and Menards.

Mom and Dad decided to spend their retirement years traveling, they sold most of their personal belongings and purchased a motor home. They went to Brownsville, Texas and had the time of their life. However, Dad became ill and died the following summer putting an end to their plans to continue traveling. Dad died on July 29, 2005. Mom was once again devastated with her loss and became very depressed.

This started another chapter in her life. Mom met Greg Sjodin who gave her another meaning to life. Mom became vibrant and began enjoying life again. She became the happy, go lucky person we all knew and enjoyed.

On June 7, 2010 mom received the devastating news that she had throat cancer. After given her options for treatment, Mom made the decision that she would not pursue any further testing nor treatment. She was told she had 3-6 months to live with no treatment. Mom lived the remainder of her life with a strength none of us will ever understand. Mom fought this disease until she could no longer fight. One amazing woman.

Mom died on 3-27-11 at 10:23 pm and she did so with all her dignity. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Fred, her sons Joseph and Freddy B, daughter Tonya and both parents.

She is survived by her brother Joe, brother Bob and sister, Nadine. Nine children: David (Carol) of Cedar Lake, Debbie (Barry) of Apple Valley, Dale of Vulcan, Michigan, Jeffrey, Joan (Tom) of Champlin, Kevin (Tammy) of Fridley, Jackie (Jeff) of Mounds View, Joseph (Margaret) of Isanti and Tammie (Brad) of Elko, 22 grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many friends and relatives. A special thank you is given to Greg from all of Mom’s children for the loving care he provided to our Mother in her time of need and for giving us our Mother back even though it was for a very short time. Mom you will be greatly missed by all of us. Love you and rest in peace.