Eleanor Bauer

Eleanor (Ellie) Jean Bauer, 91, of Madison, WI died peacefully Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at Brookdale Memory Care in Madison, Wisconsin. Services celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, August 28 at Cress Funeral Home on 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI. Visitation will precede the service at 10:00 AM. Burial will be Tuesday, August 29 in Greenwood Cemetery, Tomahawk, WI.

Ellie was born in Tomahawk, WI on September 23, 1925, the daughter of Osten and Corah (Martinson) Thompson. She graduated from Tomahawk High School in 1943. On March 26, 1945 she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Robert Bauer.

Ellie was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was always very proud of her Norwegian heritage. One of her fondest memories was when she took a trip to Norway with her son, Tom. Ellie worked for many years as a secretary for Farm Credit Services in Janesville, WI. She always had a special fondness in her heart for farmers. A member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, Ellie sang in the Victory Choir, was a charter member of the XYZ Club, and volunteered in the Bethel Food Pantry. Quilting was a passion, and she made many beautiful quilts for her home and family. Ellie enjoyed watching her bird feeders which fed many varieties of neighborhood birds, squirrels, and an occasional chipmunk. Her greatest joy was being with her family.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Joan (Len) Bauer Bruce of Bettendorf, IA; son, Thomas (Cindy) Bauer of Oshkosh, WI; and daughter Barbara Bauer of Madison, WI; grandchildren Angela Bruce, Council Bluffs IA; Robert (Holli) Bruce of Chandler, AZ; Kate (Travis) Gerhart of Portland, OR; David (Caroline) Bauer of Columbia, MD; Great-Grandchildren Sara Staake, Sean Staake, and Ellie Bauer; Great-Great-Grandchildren Ofelia Staake and Lyla Staake.

Ellie's family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Brookdale Senior Living administration and staff, and also to Ellie's Heartland Hospice Care team for their compassionate, skillful care, and for the dignity that was expressed daily to Ellie.

Memorials may be made to Bethel Food Pantry or to Bethel Media Ministry.

Cress Center
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 238-8406