Bruce J. Bauman, 84, passed away peacefully on Sept. 4, 2025, at Oak Park Place in Burlington.
Bruce was born on the family farm in Burlington on Dec. 5, 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 4, 1964, Bruce married the love of his life, Joyce Nienhaus, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dover. Shortly after marriage, they built their first house just outside Burlington, where they lived for 53 years before downsizing and moving closer to town.
Bruce was employed by Wisconsin Electric Company, 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, including 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 of Marshfield, Mark (Lisa) Bauman of Mukwonago, and Paul Bauman of East Troy; grandchildren Danica (Jake) Perner, Paige Johnson, Marisa (Jack) Thomford, Matthew (Ashley) Bauman, Sarah (Justin) Blum, Bailey (Ben) Bates, and Bridget (Logan) McDivitt; and great grandchildren Jaxon and Lawton Perner, Jane and 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 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at St. Charles Catholic Church, 440 Kendall St, Burlington. Relatives and friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon following the mass in Andre Hall to celebrate Bruce’s life until 2 p.m. 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.
Services have been entrusted to Integrity Funeral Services. For on-line condolences, please visit www.integrityfunerals.net.
