Mary Ann Bahr, age 84 of rural Mineral Point, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, June 12, 2016 surrounded by her loving family.
Mary Ann (Hofmann) Bahr was born March 6, 1932 in Eagle Grove, Iowa the daughter of Andrew Leslie and Doris Mae (Pehl) Hofmann.  She was the oldest of four children: Christina Elizabeth, John George, and Ruth Katherine were her younger siblings. They lived on the great-grandmother’s farm 2 miles south of Goldfield, Iowa until 1941. In 1941 her parents moved to a farm near Dows, Iowa. Mary Ann and her siblings would walk two miles each day back and forth to school. She graduated valedictorian from Dows Public School in 1949.
She married Melvin Victor Bahr on May 19, 1949 in Mason City, Iowa. She and Melvin lived and farmed in the Dows area until moving to Wisconsin in July of 1958. The lived and farmed in Richland and Vernon County areas until 1983 when they moved to Prairie du Sac. In May of 1989 they retired and moved to Willow Springs Township in Lafayette County.
Mary Ann and Melvin shared 62 years together, until Melvin went to be with the Lord on March 6, 2011. They raised seven children: Mickey (Linda) Bahr, Melody Bahr, Murlee Bahr, Marilee (Jack) Eisele, Micah (Lori) Bahr, Melisa (Dan) Lapp, and Manuel (Teresa) Bahr. They were blessed with 12 grandchildren: Ronald (Shelly) Bahr, Mande (Matt) Stiefel, Galin Eisele, Kelly (Chris) Lehnhoff, John (Kelly) Eisele, James (Katie) Eisele, Holli (Adam) Brehm, Andrea Bahr, Celsey Bahr, Jessica Bahr, Maggie Bahr, and Clara Bahr, two step-grandchildren: Chris (Kelly) Lapp and Holly (Jason) Knox; 12 great-grandchildren: Katie, Miah, Alexia, Hannah, Colton, Courtney, Payton, Kenzy, Brecken, Merek, Cora, and Hazel; and 10 step-great-grandchildren: Lucus, Desirae, Autumn, Kaitlyn, Bailey, Nick, Owen, Joey, Andrew, and Haley Jo. Besides all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Mary Ann leaves behind her sister: Betty (Carl) Johnson; brother-in-law: Ken (Win) Beers; sister-in-law: Esther Srigley, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents: Andrew and Doris Hofmann; her husband: Melvin V. Bahr; one brother: John George Hofmann; one sister: Ruth Katherine Beers; her in-laws: Chas and Meta (Klein) Bahr, Eva (Laverne) Stopplemoor; Dale (Norma) LaRue, Charles “Chuck” (Helen) Bahr, and Bob Srigley.
Mary Ann was a devoted Christian and truly a Proverbs 31 woman. She taught us how to love and care for family. She walked out her faith and belief in Jesus. Her granddaughter, Mande, wrote the following in a letter to her: “You are my hero and have been for years. You’ve been an example of how amazing a woman can be; I’ve always thought I have the most beautiful grandma. You have a tender and gentle spirit. I’ve witnessed your frustration and willingness to speak up for what you believe in, but I’ve also watched and admired how you are able to treat people with such kindness. You are beautiful, intelligent, and kind; and amazing combination and a wonderful example of a woman of excellence.” That pretty much sums up who Mary Ann was. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.
A Celebration of Mary Ann’s life will be held Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Evangelical Free Church (5605 Main Street, Gratiot) with Rev. Glenn Andes officiating. Burial will be in Gratiot Methodist Cemetery. A visitation will be held Friday, June 17, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:p.m. at Erickson Funeral Home (508 Main Street, Darlington) and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.