Phyllis Bauer, 80, joined her heavenly Father on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, following a short battle with cancer. Phyllis was born June 25, 1929, at Nampa, to Charles and Edith Miller. She was raised on a farm in the Nampa area and graduated from Nampa High School. She worked as a secretary for the Credit Bureau in Boise following her graduation. Phyllis married Robert Bauer in June of 1951, and they began their married life at Fort Lewis, Wash., where Bob was stationed with the Army. Shortly after, they were transferred to Fort Richardson near Anchorage, Alaska. It was there that the couple was blessed with their first child, Larry. After Bob's term of military duty was completed, the young family settled on a small farm in the Owyhee Heights near Homedale. Phyllis took on the role of mother and housewife as son Mark was born a few years later, followed by a daughter, Sharon. Phyllis was a giving person. Throughout her children's school years, she was always one of the first to volunteer to be a room mother, as well as giving her time as a 4-H leader for many years. She was active in her congregation at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary in Homedale. She joined the Ridgeview Pollyanna Club in its early years, and has continued to enjoy the friendship of these ladies until her passing. She enjoyed her time spent with the Homedale Senior Citizens group in recent years.
Her pastimes included baking and tending to her beautiful flower gardens until she was no longer able.
When she suffered a stroke in 2001, she showed tremendous resilience as she learned how to walk, talk, and live independently once again.
Phyllis lived in Owyhee Heights up until Bob's sudden death in 2004, when she moved to Homedale. She enjoyed the friendships she made while living at the senior apartments there. Her apartment was easy to identify, with its many colorful garden flags and yard decorations. Shortly before her death, it became necessary to move to Autumn Winds Assisted Living in Caldwell, where she appreciated the kindness of her caregivers.
The family also wants to thank the caregivers from Four Winds Hospice.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Edith Miller, brothers Max and Marvin, husband Robert Bauer and great-grandson, David G. VanWassenhove. She is survived by her sons Larry (Becky) and Mark (Beverly) of Homedale, daughter Sharon (David) VanWassenhove of Marsing, grandchildren Eric Bauer, Dustin (Emily) Bauer, April (Jason) Binford, Marcy (Chris) Hibbs, Steven Bauer, Nate (Stacy) VanWassenhove, Megan (Jake) Astorquia, and Amy VanWassenhove.
In addition, she will be missed by eight great-grandchildren, and four new arrivals that are due within the next several months.
A memorial service will be held Oct. 8, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 621 W. Idaho, Homedale.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Homedale Senior Center, P.O. Box 848, Homedale, ID 83628.