James “Jim” Bauer, age 87, of Annandale, died Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Hilltop Care Center surrounded by his family.
Memorial Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Rev. Todd Nelsen will officiate. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.
James Luvern Bauer was born on March 27, 1938, in Milford, Iowa, to Joseph and Amerett (Guthrie) Bauer. Jim lived in Milford before moving to Annandale in his youth, where he attended a small country school that was located right next to their home. He graduated with the Class of 1956 from Annandale High School. His sense of duty led him to serve in the United States Navy, after which he returned to help on the family farm. On April 6, 1958, he united in marriage to Shirley Jordan at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Annandale. Together, they created a loving home where they raised three children.
For 38 years, Jim worked as a truck driver for Howard Cassellius Ready Mix, retiring from Granite City Ready Mix in 2001. He was also a certified welder, machinist and back yard mechanic. He had a love for the great outdoors, where he spent countless hours hunting and fishing, showing his hidden talent to sit in a deer stand for hours and never get cold.
Jim’s kids knew him as the World’s Greatest Dad. After a full day’s work, he still found time to shoot hoops, throw a baseball or football, or to play a game of cards with his family. He had a mean left handed hook shot that frequently clinched his victory in a game of HORSE in the driveway. Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather that will be remembered as a loving, soft-spoken, kind man.
Jim is survived by his children, Tammy Wedde of Fairhaven, Rick (Kris) Bauer of Annandale, and Julie (Steve) Nolan of South Haven; seven grandchildren, Keeley Andrews, Emily Wedde, Justine (Jason) Bemis, Anna (Ryan) Schmidt, Joshua (Paige) Nolan, Randy (Brooke) Nolan, and Matthew Nolan; nine great-grandchildren, Brenden Olson, Benson Ranta, Lennox, Livvy and Leighton Nolan, Jaylen, Jude and Jed Bemis, and Everett Schmidt. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Amerett; wife, Shirley; and siblings, Verlyn and Shirley.
Jim’s grandchildren will serve as urn bearers. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.
Obituary, Guestbook, and Video Tribute are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.