Zelma M. Bauer

Zelma M. Bauer, age 85, a former resident of Elkton and recently of Fort Wayne, Indiana, celebrated her home going with her Lord on August 15, 2009. She was born October 26, 1924, on a small farm in Elkton, to the late David and Anna (Heck) Thompson.
Zelma was known as a fun-loving person, her family will always remember that if someone mentioned they were going anywhere, she had her purse in her hand to go along; she didn’t want to miss any time with them. Attending band competitions and ball games were some of her favorite times. The more friends and family around her, the happier she was. When she and her husband, Herman, were married on November 1, 1941, they decided to attend the Evangelical United Brethren church in Elkton, and eventually gave their hearts to the Lord and established a Christian home. Their children and grandchildren will be forever grateful, because now they all know their same Lord.
Zelma was a hard worker, helping work the family farm on Souletown Road, tending a large garden, and canning food to feed her family. They will always remember her strawberry pie and frozen strawberry jam. Friends and family will also remember her listening ear and her promises to pray for them. Heaven heard her prayers and answered them in so many ways. A member of the E. U. B. church in Elkton for 44 years, she helped with many dinners and played on the church’s softball team. In 1985, she and Herman became charter members of Community Wesleyan Church, Elkton, where she and Herman helped in the construction and decorating of a new building and various other ministries. Zelma could always be counted on to help someone in need, giving even when she didn’t have a lot to give.
Employees of the places where she worked will remember her laugh and her fun ways. Working in the cafeteria at Laker High School, she was once reprimanded for giving the football players extra food on their trays because “they needed it.” Then at the Seat Belt Factory, and later at Biagio’s Pizza, she gained lifelong friends, who were very dear to her. Following their retirement Zelma and Herman gained even more friends on a senior’s bowling team. It was well-deserved fun, after working so hard through the years.
In 2005, their family wanted Zelma and Herman to move closer to them because of their ill health. So they left the farm on Souletown Road and moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. After enjoying a small apartment, Zelma soon needed more nursing care and was moved to the rehab center at Renaissance Village, where her husband was already being cared for. There, they were able to share a room that the family had filled with pictures and mementos. They soon had many new friends among the residents. Zelma discovered that she could still bowl, using the WII computer bowling game. Herman and Zelma’s family will be forever grateful for the kind and loving care they received from the staff.
Her children and grandchildren “rise up and call her blessed,” and will miss her fun spirit and prayers. But they are confident that they will be reunited with her one glorious day. May God bless the memory of Zelma Bauer to all those who knew and loved her.
Those remaining and waiting to see her again are her loving husband of 67 years, Herman; her children: Judy (Wayne) Teuscher of Fort Wayne, IN, Carol (Jerry) Brecheisen of Indianapolis,IN, Richard (Karen) Bauer of Jackson, MI; her grandchildren: Tonya Krinn, Cindy (Vince) Vanderlaan, Mandi (Troy) Cundiff, Arianna (Jeff) Eckart, Joel Bauer, and Jarred Bauer; her great-grandchildren: Philip, Katy, Timothy, Kyle, Olivia, Lauren, and Sophia; her brother, Lorney (Leona) Thompson; her sisters: Ruth Gilbert and Bessie (Jim) Champagne; her many nieces and nephews; and her many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by an infant son; by her parents David and Anna Thompson; by brothers Raymond, Irvin, Henry, and Bob; and by her sister, Mary (Hazard).
A service of celebration will be conducted 1:00 PM Tuesday, August 18,at Community Wesleyan Church, 5171 Whalen Street, Elkton, 48731, with Rev. Jerry Brecheisen and Rev. Deweerd Smith officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the Church, and internment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Elkton.
Contributions in her memory may be given to the rehab center at The Renaissance Village 6050 S 800 E-92, Fort Wayne, IN, 46814.