Bruce J. Bauman

Bruce J. Bauman, age 84, passed away peacefully on September 4th, 2025, at Oak Park Place in Burlington, WI.

Bruce was born on the family farm in Burlington, WI, on December 5th, 1940, to Hieron and Mary (Ebbers) Bauman.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 until 1961 as a Seabee and was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer 2nd Class.  On April 4th, 1964, Bruce married the love of his life, Joyce Nienhaus, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dover, WI.  Shortly after marriage, they built and lived in their first house, just outside Burlington, for 53 years before downsizing and moving closer to town.

Bruce was employed by Wisconsin Electric Co. first as a lineman, then retired after nearly 40 years of service as a line crew coordinator.  As a lifetime member of St. Charles Catholic Church, he wore many hats, i.e. lector, church committees, festival volunteer, and all-around handyman.  Bruce was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1578 for over 60 years.  He was actively involved with youth sports through coaching and refereeing Little League city baseball and boys basketball at St. Charles School. 

Bruce loved camping with family, spending time with friends, fishing, and playing cards, especially cribbage and sheepshead.  He enjoyed woodworking, tinkering around the house, and his garden.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Joyce; children Carlyn (Jesse) Johnson, Marshfield, Mark (Lisa) Bauman, Mukwonago, and Paul Bauman, East Troy; grandchildren Danica (Jake) Perner, Paige Johnson, Marisa (Jack) Thomford, Matthew (Ashley) Bauman, Sarah (Justin) Blum, Bailey (Ben) Bates, and Bridget (Logan) McDivitt; great-grandchildren Jaxon & Lawton Perner, Jane & Emilia Bates, Margot McDivitt, and Callahan Thomford.  He is further survived by his brothers Tom (Karen) Bauman and Larry (Sandy) Bauman.  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Marie (Sam) Blais, Delores Klein, and Jeanne (Anthony) Mich. 

A Funeral Mass for Bruce will be held at 11am on Saturday, September 13th, 2025, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Burlington, (440 Kendall St, Burlington, WI 53105).  Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon following the mass in Andre Hall to celebrate Bruce’s life until 2pm.  Bruce will be laid to rest privately at a later date at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Charles Parish.

The family would like to thank the wonderful people at St. Croix Hospice and Oak Park Place for their loving and tender care of Bruce.