Irene Edna (Bieringer) Bauer
November 28, 1920 - January 29, 2013
The death of Mrs. Irene Edna (nee Grois) (Bieringer) Bauer of Bethany Pioneer Village, Middle Lake, SK, (and formerly of Pilger, SK), occurred at her residence on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. She was 92 years of age and the last surviving member of her generation. Irene was born on November 28, 1920, to Balthasar and Susanna (nee Schwartz) Grois at Verndale, SK. The first 10 years of her life were spent there, until the family moved to a farm in the Pilger district. Irene attended Colorado Rural School north of Pilger. Following her education, Irene worked at her parents' boarding house and at Kelly's Store in Pilger. In August 1940, she married Carl Bieringer. Their union was blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters. Irene and Carl began their life together on a farm near Fulda, where they raised horses, cattle and also turkeys, which they sold to supplement their income. While living on the farm their first two children, Roman and Elaine were born. In 1952, the Bieringers moved to Pilger and bought the Lucky Dollar Store, which they operated until 1973. During those years, two more children, Harold and Marlene, were born thus completing their family. Sadly, in 1965, Carl passed away. Irene continued to run the Lucky Dollar until 1973, then later she worked at Bethany Pioneer Village for a few years. Eventually, she met Harry Bauer and on March 18, 1978, they were married in Pilger. Irene worked at Bethany for a couple more years while Harry was employed by some local farmers. In the early 1990's, they retired in Humboldt. In 2005, due to failing health, Irene and Harry moved to Birch Manor at Bethany Pioneer Village. Irene was widowed again on July 19, 2007, when Harry died. In November 2011, Irene relocated to Aspen Manor at Bethany, which was her home until she passed. Over the years, Irene enjoyed a variety of pastimes and hobbies. She especially enjoyed gardening - both vegetables and flowers, quilting, sewing, fishing, playing cards, bingo and dice, going on casino bus trips, and travelling to the United States. Irene was a congenial hostess who loved having company. By many, her cooking was called "the best in the country", and no one ever left her home without having plenty to eat. Her greatest joy was derived from spending time with family and friends. Irene will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her four children, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren: ROMAN (Louise) Bieringer of Pilger, SK, and family, Terry, Joanie, Kevin and Teejay Bieringer; ELAINE (Dan) Mueller of Humboldt, SK, and family, Renee (Greg) Senko and children Kendal and Alex, Shannon Mueller and daughter Kyra, and Gina Mueller; HARRY (Cheryl) Bieringer of Redwater, AB, and family, Nichole Bieringer (Tyson) and children Jaden and Randen, Shauna (Ryan) Bush and children Dezerae and Mason, and Shannon (Shawn) Gregory and children Liam, Ashton and Dawson; and MARLENE (Gerald) Galbraith of Saskatoon, SK, and family, Carly and Dylan Galbraith. She was predeceased by her first husband, Carl Bieringer (1965); second husband, Harry Bauer (2007); one grandson, Shawn Bieringer; parents, Balthasar and Susanna (nee Schwartz) Grois; one brother, Wilbert Grois (in infancy); one sister, Brigetta Wegleitner; and by numerous in-laws of the Bieringer and Bauer families. The Prayer Service for Irene was held at Holy Trinity R.C. Church, Pilger, on Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 7:30 p.m., led by Nestor Trach and organist Darlene Cash. Scripture readers were Nichole Bieringer and Joanie Bieringer. The Funeral Mass was offered at Holy Trinity R.C. Church on Friday, February 1, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Ephraim Mensah and Fr. Bernard Stauber. Others taking part were: Dylan Galbraith, crossbearer; Gina Mueller and Beryl Bauer, scripture readers; Renee Senko, intentions; Kendal Senko, Alex Senko, Liam Gregory, Ashton Gregory, Dawson Gregory, Jaden Bieringer, Mason Bush, Dezerae Bush, Kyra Hill and Randen Bieringer, giftbearers; and Kyra Hill, Dezerae Bush, Jaden Bieringer, Alex Senko and Kendal Senko, memorial table attendants. Honorary pallbearers were "All those who shared in Irene's life". Active pallbearers were Kevin Bieringer, Teejay Bieringer, Terry Bieringer, Carly Galbraith, Shauna Bush and Shannon Mueller. Interment will take place at Holy Trinity R.C. Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Bethany Pioneer Village Multi-Purpose Facility, the Parkinson Society or the Canadian Diabetes Association. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
