Wendell C. Bauman, age 96, of Edgar, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, October 23, 2026, at Marshfield Medical Center. He was born on February 16, 1930, in Wausau to Alfred and Evelyn (Borchardt) Bauman.
Memorial services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Hope Lutheran Church in Edgar, with Rev. Andrew Cave officiating. Committal services will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church on Friday from 9 AM until the time of service. Serving as pallbearers will be Wendell’s beloved grandchildren: Deidre Yirkovsky, Ryan Tackes, Elisha Stefanski, Dana Reagan, Matthew Bauman, Jenna Knoedler, Dustin Bauman, Jordan Bauman, Samuel Bauman, Ella Bauman, and Heidi Reagan.
Wendell was a proud graduate of Edgar High School, Class of 1948, where he distinguished himself as valedictorian. On June 13, 1953, he married the love of his life, Anita Mielke, at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby. Together, they made their home in Edgar, where they built a life centered on family, faith, and community while raising their five children. Wendell was a faithful and devoted member of Hope Lutheran Church in Edgar, where his faith remained an important part of his life.
An outdoorsman at heart, Wendell especially enjoyed fishing at the family cabin on Long Lake, where he could relax and appreciate the simple pleasures of time spent in nature. He also enjoyed making firewood and took pride in staying active and productive. Throughout the years, Wendell generously shared his time and talents by serving on the boards of directors for Mutual of Wausau Insurance and the Wien Town Board, as well as serving on various church councils. Through his dedicated service, he made a lasting contribution to the organizations, churches, and community he cared so deeply about.
Wendell’s greatest legacy lives on through the family he and Anita raised and the many generations who will continue to cherish his memory. He is survived by his five children: Linda (Alan) Bergmann of Mosinee, Terrance Bauman of Edgar, Jayne (Cal) Tackes of Edgar, Clark (Lisa) Bauman of Marshfield, and David (Debra) Bauman of Edgar; his 11 grandchildren: Deidre (Brett) Yirkovsky, Ryan (Sarah) Tackes, Elisha (Brandon) Stefanski, Dana (Keith) Reagan, Matthew (Katie) Bauman, Jenna (Luke) Knoedler, Dustin (Courtney) Bauman, Jordan (Liz Hovel) Bauman, Samuel (Mikayla) Bakken-Bauman, Ella Bauman and Heidi (Mykle) Reagan; and his 20 great-grandchildren: Elliot, Jayden, Connor, Charlie, Madyson, Bo, Wendell, Vivienne, Theodore, Anita, Max, Rowyn, Caleb, Barrett, Georgina, Beckett, Birdie, Maggie, Maddie, and Max. His family was a source of great pride, and his memory will live on through the love and connections shared among them.
Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Evelyn Bauman; his beloved wife, Anita Bauman; mother and father-in-law, Otto and Anna Mielke; sisters and brothers-in-law, Alvina and William Giese, Albert Mielke, and Bernell Waldinger and half-sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Francis Boehm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Wendell’s name to the Country Roads Community Foundation. Donations may be made online at www.countryroadswi.org or by check payable to Country Roads Community Foundation.
The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Stoney River Assisted Living for the kindness, compassion, and wonderful care they provided to Wendell, especially to Sunshine and Carol.
A special thank you to his Merrill card group for always coming and playing Sheephead with Wendell. You provided countless hours of joy and he cherished those visits.
Wendell’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home in Spencer.
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