1924
Carl
2012
Carl L. Bauer
January 1, 1924 — September 13, 2012
La Feria, TX:
Carl Louis Bauer, 88, passed away September 13, 2012 at his residence.
Carl was born the middle son of Mary Zimmerer Bauer and Albert Bauer on January 1, 1924 in La Feria, Texas as one of eight children. He attended Santa Maria School and St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville. He left high school to work on the family farm with his dad. He farmed with his dad, learning much about farming and ranching, until needed by the U.S. Army.
Carl served in the Army at Ft. Hood where he trained to go overseas during World War II to fight the war in the Pacific. Stationed in the Philippines, he ran heavy equipment until someone was needed to work in the kitchen. He became mess sergeant and he was one of the best there was at that time. Generals and other officers had him cook for events when possible. Carl knew that preparing the best food for his fellow soldiers was great for their morale and helped them deal with life on the battle field.
After the war, he met the love of his life, a nurse, Marie C. Dudenhoeffer. They were married on Dec. 27, 1949, and they started their home together on a farm south of La Feria. They had six children – Chris, Mark, Peggy, Patrick, Carlis and Anne.
While in the Army, his nickname had been “John Deere” since his dream was to return home to acquire a John Deere tractor and begin farming on his own. He was able to do that and spent many years growing cotton, grain, corn, sugar cane, citrus and vegetables. He farmed and ranched on land along the Rio Grande River in South San Benito, Santa Maria and La Feria. He loved spending time in his orchard where he grew oranges, grapefruit, limes, lemons, mangos, avocados and papayas. Carl took great delight in sharing his harvest with others. (You knew you were on his good side if you received a bag of oranges, grapefruit or onions!) He raised cattle, pigs, poultry and for many years had a herd of Barbado sheep. From field to table, he enjoyed butchering and preparing sausage and meats, making wine and sauerkraut. Carl took pride in knowing that he could provide good meals from the fruits of his labor.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 439, a charter board member of the La Feria Coop Gin and a board member of the Santa Maria Water District. He won awards for soil conservation in 1958 and for having the first bale of cotton in La Feria in 1992. Carl was a long time member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He often barbequed for the church, 4-H booster club and American Legion.
Carl was an avid hunter and fisherman. He made many hunting trips with friends to the northern U.S., Alaska, Mexico and Canada to hunt dove, pheasant, deer, elk, moose and bear. He enjoyed fishing with friends and family through the years along the Texas coast near Port Mansfield catching redfish and trout. He and his family often vacationed at South Padre Island where they shared good times with friends.
Survivors include his wonderful and devoted wife of 63 years, Marie C. Bauer; his son, Chris Bauer, and wife, Debbie, of Rancho Viejo; his son, Mark Bauer, of Dallas; his daughter, Peggy Brelsford, and husband, Bill, of Tyler; his son, Patrick Bauer, of Harlingen; his son, Carlis Bauer, and wife, Karen, of Harlingen; and his daughter, Anne Fain, and husband, Miles, of Austin; grandchildren Kristie Trejo, Kate Brelsford, George Brelsford, Matthew Fain, Claire Bauer, Jenna Bauer and Molly Fain; great grandson, Colten Trejo.
Visitation will be held on Sunday September 16, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in La Feria.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 17, 2012, 12 noon, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Burial with full Military Honors will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park.
We are grateful to Irma Armenio, Delia Castillo, Alicia Mino and Norma Hinojosa for their loving care of Carl and service to our family. We also thank Dr. John Ferris for his friendship and conscientious medical care throughout the years.
Carl Louis Bauer, 88, passed away September 13, 2012 at his residence.
Carl was born the middle son of Mary Zimmerer Bauer and Albert Bauer on January 1, 1924 in La Feria, Texas as one of eight children. He attended Santa Maria School and St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville. He left high school to work on the family farm with his dad. He farmed with his dad, learning much about farming and ranching, until needed by the U.S. Army.
Carl served in the Army at Ft. Hood where he trained to go overseas during World War II to fight the war in the Pacific. Stationed in the Philippines, he ran heavy equipment until someone was needed to work in the kitchen. He became mess sergeant and he was one of the best there was at that time. Generals and other officers had him cook for events when possible. Carl knew that preparing the best food for his fellow soldiers was great for their morale and helped them deal with life on the battle field.
After the war, he met the love of his life, a nurse, Marie C. Dudenhoeffer. They were married on Dec. 27, 1949, and they started their home together on a farm south of La Feria. They had six children – Chris, Mark, Peggy, Patrick, Carlis and Anne.
While in the Army, his nickname had been “John Deere” since his dream was to return home to acquire a John Deere tractor and begin farming on his own. He was able to do that and spent many years growing cotton, grain, corn, sugar cane, citrus and vegetables. He farmed and ranched on land along the Rio Grande River in South San Benito, Santa Maria and La Feria. He loved spending time in his orchard where he grew oranges, grapefruit, limes, lemons, mangos, avocados and papayas. Carl took great delight in sharing his harvest with others. (You knew you were on his good side if you received a bag of oranges, grapefruit or onions!) He raised cattle, pigs, poultry and for many years had a herd of Barbado sheep. From field to table, he enjoyed butchering and preparing sausage and meats, making wine and sauerkraut. Carl took pride in knowing that he could provide good meals from the fruits of his labor.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 439, a charter board member of the La Feria Coop Gin and a board member of the Santa Maria Water District. He won awards for soil conservation in 1958 and for having the first bale of cotton in La Feria in 1992. Carl was a long time member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He often barbequed for the church, 4-H booster club and American Legion.
Carl was an avid hunter and fisherman. He made many hunting trips with friends to the northern U.S., Alaska, Mexico and Canada to hunt dove, pheasant, deer, elk, moose and bear. He enjoyed fishing with friends and family through the years along the Texas coast near Port Mansfield catching redfish and trout. He and his family often vacationed at South Padre Island where they shared good times with friends.
Survivors include his wonderful and devoted wife of 63 years, Marie C. Bauer; his son, Chris Bauer, and wife, Debbie, of Rancho Viejo; his son, Mark Bauer, of Dallas; his daughter, Peggy Brelsford, and husband, Bill, of Tyler; his son, Patrick Bauer, of Harlingen; his son, Carlis Bauer, and wife, Karen, of Harlingen; and his daughter, Anne Fain, and husband, Miles, of Austin; grandchildren Kristie Trejo, Kate Brelsford, George Brelsford, Matthew Fain, Claire Bauer, Jenna Bauer and Molly Fain; great grandson, Colten Trejo.
Visitation will be held on Sunday September 16, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in La Feria.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 17, 2012, 12 noon, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Burial with full Military Honors will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park.
We are grateful to Irma Armenio, Delia Castillo, Alicia Mino and Norma Hinojosa for their loving care of Carl and service to our family. We also thank Dr. John Ferris for his friendship and conscientious medical care throughout the years.
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