Obituary for Francis C. Bayer
Mass of Christian Burial for Francis C. Bayer age 91 of Dodge, NE will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Dodge, NE with Fr. Matt Gutowski as celebrant. Interment with Military Honors will be in the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, with a public Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. and will continue on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Minnick Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Francis passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at The Homestead in Norfolk, NE.
Francis Christian Bayer was born on July 17, 1931 to Christian and Leona (Beaumont) Bayer on the family farm south of Dodge, NE. Francis attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and received his honorary High School Diploma from Dodge High School in 2001. Francis worked on the family farm prior to being inducted into the United States Army on April 13, 1953. He started as a Medic, but after the hospital burned down, he trained as a Dental Assistant and also worked in the Officer’s Club while stationed in Alaska. Francis was honorably discharged on March 25, 1955.
On June 7, 1956, he was united in marriage to Ruby Boubin at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Clarkson, NE. Francis and Ruby raised their children on the family farm. He enjoyed doing custom haying. In 1984, Francis and his boys purchased the Gamble’s Store in Dodge and started Bayer Hardware Store.
Francis was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, and was an active life member of Dodge American Legion Post #122 and V.F.W. Post #8597. He enjoyed Polka dancing and fishing. Francis for many years helped call Bingo for St. Wenceslaus Funfest and for the Legion, and serving snow cones at the Dodge Demolition Derby.
Survivors include his wife of almost 67 years-Ruby Bayer of Dodge, NE
Children and their families-
Bonnie and Jeff Engel of Norfolk, NE and son-
Matt Engel
Eugene Bayer of Norfolk, NE and son-
Cody Bayer
Phyllis and Jeff Sitzmann of Sioux Falls, SD and family-
Melissa (Mike) VanOort and children-Katelyn & Kendall
Bridgett Sitzmann (fiancé Mat Aernts) and her children-Lincoln & Briar
Kelly (Patrick) Kabala
Allen and Lorraine Bayer of Dodge, NE and daughters-
Hailey, Alana, & Erin Bayer
Duane Bayer of Dodge, NE
Don and Janelle Bayer of Dodge, NE and son-
Brandon (Amanda Callaway) Bayer
Theresa and Corey Loewe of Beemer, NE and daughter-
Tanisha (Andrew) Brahmer and daughter-Autumn
Sister-Alvina Ortmeier of Dodge, NE
Francis was preceded in death by his parents-Christian and Leona Bayer, son-Paul “Moon” Bayer, and sisters-Patricia Dirkschneider and Virginia Kempf.
Francis passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at The Homestead in Norfolk, NE.
Francis Christian Bayer was born on July 17, 1931 to Christian and Leona (Beaumont) Bayer on the family farm south of Dodge, NE. Francis attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and received his honorary High School Diploma from Dodge High School in 2001. Francis worked on the family farm prior to being inducted into the United States Army on April 13, 1953. He started as a Medic, but after the hospital burned down, he trained as a Dental Assistant and also worked in the Officer’s Club while stationed in Alaska. Francis was honorably discharged on March 25, 1955.
On June 7, 1956, he was united in marriage to Ruby Boubin at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Clarkson, NE. Francis and Ruby raised their children on the family farm. He enjoyed doing custom haying. In 1984, Francis and his boys purchased the Gamble’s Store in Dodge and started Bayer Hardware Store.
Francis was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, and was an active life member of Dodge American Legion Post #122 and V.F.W. Post #8597. He enjoyed Polka dancing and fishing. Francis for many years helped call Bingo for St. Wenceslaus Funfest and for the Legion, and serving snow cones at the Dodge Demolition Derby.
Survivors include his wife of almost 67 years-Ruby Bayer of Dodge, NE
Children and their families-
Bonnie and Jeff Engel of Norfolk, NE and son-
Matt Engel
Eugene Bayer of Norfolk, NE and son-
Cody Bayer
Phyllis and Jeff Sitzmann of Sioux Falls, SD and family-
Melissa (Mike) VanOort and children-Katelyn & Kendall
Bridgett Sitzmann (fiancé Mat Aernts) and her children-Lincoln & Briar
Kelly (Patrick) Kabala
Allen and Lorraine Bayer of Dodge, NE and daughters-
Hailey, Alana, & Erin Bayer
Duane Bayer of Dodge, NE
Don and Janelle Bayer of Dodge, NE and son-
Brandon (Amanda Callaway) Bayer
Theresa and Corey Loewe of Beemer, NE and daughter-
Tanisha (Andrew) Brahmer and daughter-Autumn
Sister-Alvina Ortmeier of Dodge, NE
Francis was preceded in death by his parents-Christian and Leona Bayer, son-Paul “Moon” Bayer, and sisters-Patricia Dirkschneider and Virginia Kempf.