Marlene Bauer

Marlene Bauer (nee Smith), beloved wife of Fred Bauer, devoted mother of Cynthia (John) Greene, Jenea (Paul) Hicks, Matthew (Stephanie) Bauer and Angela (Jeff) Shoemaker, loving grandmother of Alicia, Samantha, Heather, Savannah, MacKenzie, Michelle, Isabella, Samuel, Teddy, Charlotte, James and J.J., great-grandmother of Skye. Marlene is preceded in death by her parents Carl and Earline Smith, her brother Carl Herman Smith and her sisters Connie Trotter and Debbie Monroe. She is meeting for the first time her four children and two grandchildren that were lost due to unsuccessful pregnancies.

Marlene was born in 1952 and grew up in Owensville, OH. She grew up with her 5 siblings (Carl Herman, Connie, Debbie, Sharon, and Bill). She married her love, Fred Bauer on February 25, 1972, and they celebrated their 51st Anniversary this past February. She received her sacraments of initiation of the Catholic faith on her wedding day. She attended St. Louis Church with her husband together for over 50 years. She proudly served the St Louis parish and community starting as a volunteer 1976 and then continued as the Director of Religious Education. She helped prepare members for all their Sacraments starting from Baptism through Death.

She started Vacation Bible School in 1978, and never stopped learning and working to make the church blossom and grow. Next came a Sunday School program, Youth Group, and RCIA which is Formation classes that bring in converts such as herself into the full Communion of the church.

She was the face of St. Louis church in many ways. She worked with new parents to prepare their children into their child’s faith through Baptism, 1st Communion and Confirmation Sacraments.

Whatever Marlene chose to jump into, her husband Fred was right by her side. They were very involved in the Marriage Preparation program leading couples into their marriage and life together in Christ. And at times helped in whatever way needed with families grieving the loss of their loved one.

She happily served as Clerk Treasurer for the Village of Owensville for 17 years after her mother, Earline served a lifetime.

Marlene lived by the saying “Bloom Where You Are Planted”. She was planted in the small village of Owensville OH. Not only did her single blossom bloom, but she helped so many others throughout her Church and Community to grow and bloom making a beautiful, and vibrant bouquet. That bouquet will never wilt or die but will continue to bloom with beauty and fragrance just as her soul did here on earth.

Marlene loved to sing! She would sing to her children, grandchildren, with her siblings, church, and even led the village of Owensville for Christmas carols at the annual “Christmas in the Village”.

Her grandchildren were her greatest joy. She loved and adored them, taking them to Walt Disney World, having tea parties, game nights, Christmas in the Village, shopping, and just loving them every chance she got. She told them all I Love You Best! And she surely did.

Marlene passed away on October 11, 2023 at the age of 71 years.

Family will receive friends at Evans Funeral Home, Milford, on Sunday, October 22nd from 5-7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church in Owensville on Monday, October 23rd beginning at 10:30 AM. Burial will immediately follow at St. Louis Church Cemetery.