Jean Bauer of Hilda, Alberta passed away on May 2, 2021, at the age of 79 years. Along with her beloved husband, Norman, Jean leaves to cherish her memory her sons, Gregory (Cathy) Bauer and grandson, Luke; Jeffrey (Kerri) Bauer and their children, Alexander, Samantha, Andrea, and Camryn; siblings, Ronald (Dawn) Holmlund, Doris Krause, and Faye (Waldy) Hugel. Jean was predeceased by her parents, Annie (nee Berglin) and John Holmlund; grandchildren, Eric Bauer and Matthew and Mark Bauer; as well as brother-in-law, Clyde Krause. Jean was born on January 1, 1942, in the Wetaskiwin Hospital and as the first baby of that year, received several gifts and awards. She was raised on her family’s farm near Falun. Jean was the eldest daughter of the family and will be forever remembered for her warm personality, incredible memory, insatiable work ethic, positivity, honesty, and steadfast determination. In 1959, Jean was enrolled in Grade 12 at the Wetaskiwin High School, this was her first year in a city school after taking Grade 10 and 11 in Falun. Jean was a major achiever and leader in a variety of youth activities including 4-H and the Vasa club. She was involved in many 4-H clubs including Lone Ridge (clothing and gardening), and Falun (beef and grain) and she was the only woman in the grain club. Through her dedication, Jean was honored to be selected as one of only fourteen youth to represent Alberta for the major 4-H trip to Toronto and Ottawa. This two-week trip and time commitment from her Grade 12 studies was a life experience for Jean: they stayed in the Famous Royal York Hotel, watched the Leafs tie the Black Hawks in the historic Gardens, and they also attended the Royal Winter Fair Horse Show. Finally, they met with Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker and toured his office and were honored to see the PMs classic desk and sit behind it in his famous brown leather chair. Referring to the trip and her role representing the province that expanded her knowledge, she modestly lamented that it is unfortunate that “youth is wasted on the young”. Jean always impressed on and led those around her the 4-H motto “Learn to do by doing”. Jean attended the University of Alberta and obtained a BSc. and an additional certification in Education. It was here, that she met Norman and they married on September 14, 1963. They had memorable and well attended wedding anniversaries: their 25th year at the Community Hall in Hilda and their 50th Anniversary at the Chinook Village in Medicine Hat. Jean taught at the Schuler School and then New Hilda School for a total of seven years before pivoting to become more involved with the family farm. Jean was a key part of the family farm and their avid bookkeeper until her final days. Over the years, Jean operated and taught others and her children to operate combines, tractors, and other machinery and performed many other nontraditional roles. It was, with her work using the early cab-less tractors, that Jean experienced very severe hearing loss, and she was dependent on powerful hearing aids for the rest of her life. Jean kept a daily diary and could recall accurate and vivid descriptions of days from past years by memory including the outfits she was wearing. Jean enjoyed curling in both Schuler and Medicine Hat for many years and she liked the social aspect and playing on a few different teams. She had many friends from curling including Sylvia Conia who was a nice curling companion, who offered her rides to the mall and elsewhere. Both of Jean’s parents were of Swedish descent and she was very proud of her Nordic heritage. In 2017, Norman and Jean went on a well-planned trip to Sweden. They were taken by the hospitality they were shown, being met at the airport in Stockholm by two families bearing a bottle of wine. They dined on the canal and visited every home where Jean’s grandparents and ancestors had lived. They were able to see their ancestor’s proud and tall timber stands and travel throughout northern and southern Sweden. As a highlight, Jean was hosted in Esta Farnabo for a banquet with over fourty relatives who gathered to meet her. They also saw the ABBA museum and the Vasa ship, as well as other attractions. They especially recognize, Gunner & Annalena Guttormsen, Micheal Domaj, Ragnar & Gunnel Sjokvist, and Hakan & Ingabrith Berglin, who hosted them and treated them royally. Norman and Jean travelled extensively in the last several years including trips to the Maritimes, the Danube, Las Vegas (NFR), Arizona, Panama, Iceland, California, Kansas, Mexico and Alaska. In earlier times, the family enjoyed many vacations including, skiing (Whitefish, Fernie, and Switzer Sandpoint) and travel to Florida, California, Missouri, Seattle, and Hawaii. Jean was a loving grandmother and began a family tradition of camping at Cypress Hills Provincial Park with her family and grandchildren, from 2011 to 2019, this included hiking, golf, star gazing, campfires, and many other outdoor activities. In 2020 camping was in the pasture due to covid restrictions. Jean also volunteered with the Medicine Hat Health Foundation and supported various local community activities. She was a key figure in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hilda and an an important volunteer for her community. She has been described as selfless and strong, yet tender. Jean proudly designed and built her perennial flower garden at her home with its bridge, water feature, and naturally colored and modeled stones from the surrounding farmlands. Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, a private family service will take place at 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 9th, 2021 at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB with Pastor Shane Hein officiating. Private interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to www.saamis.com and joining the live webcast on Jean’s memorial page at the above date and time. A virtual guest book is available on the livestream page for those participating remotely. In memory of Jean, we ask that you please consider a donation to the Carmel Hospice at the St. Joseph’s Home in Medicine Hat, 156 – 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1, the Canadian Cancer Society, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5, Halo Air Ambulance, 12 – 49 Viscount Avenue SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 5G4 or the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation, 666 – 5th Street SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4H6. Condolences may be sent to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Jean Bauer.
Read Less
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean Marie Bauer (Holmlund), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Jean Marie Bauer Holmlund May 2nd 2021..
Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel and Crematorium
Décès pour la Ville: Medicine-Hat, Province: Alberta