David Bauer

David E. Bauer, age 65, of Holstein, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 18, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein, surrounded by his loving family. David fought a lengthy battle with emphysema.

David was born on April 3,1960 at Lakewood General Hospital in California to Dorothy (Lange) and Harry Bauer. The family later moved to Holstein to begin a new chapter in Harry’s hometown, where David spent his childhood alongside his brothers, Michael and Kevin.

A proud graduate of Holstein High School’s class of 1978, David “Puffer” Bauer was a standout in high school wrestling and well-known for cruising the streets in hot rods with his friends. He especially cherished his prized 1971 blue and while Dodge Charger.

It was during one of those unforgettable nights that he met the love of his life, Mary Kuhn, while cruising the street of Quimby and sneaking out of Catechism in 1978. They later married on November 8, 1986. In 1995 they adopted their daughter, Kelsey Alexis. After years of battling infertility, the couple gave birth to Tyler Christian in 1997.

David worked as a welder and a metal fabricator for various companies over the years. Outside of work he found joy in the outdoors- whether it was hunting, fishing, camping or simply sitting in the woods near the river. A skilled woodworker, David also loved working on projects with Tyler and his father.

He is survived by his daughter, Kelsey Alexis (Adam Struck) and his son, Tyler Bauer. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Dorothy Bauer and his brothers, Michael and Kevin.David’s legacy lives on through the love he gave, the life he lived and the memories he leaves behind.