Irvin A Bauerle

Irvin Albert Bauerle, son of Emanuel William and Laura Ethel (Yaw) Bauerle was born August 27, 1922, in rural Champion, Nebraska. He passed away at his home on December 7, 2021, at the age of 99.

Irvin attended grade school in rural Champion, graduated from Chase County High School in 1940, and then enlisted in the Army Air Corps on his 18th birthday. He began his military career as a private, and because of his mechanical aptitude, he passed his mechanic ratings while working a variety of military aircraft. Within seven months, he was promoted to technical sergeant. He earned his qualifications as a flight engineer and aerial gunner on B17, B24, and B34 aircraft. He was assigned to a radar bombing training squadron for which he performed his duties as maintenance line chief and then flight engineer. After his honorable discharge in November of 1945, Irvin returned home and began his lifelong career in agriculture, which included raising crops and livestock. Irvin often used his mechanical abilities to innovate, modify, and build tools and implements.

On April 13, 1947, he married the love of his life, Garneta Kimberling. They were blessed with six children: Mary, Marcia, Marla, William, Michael, and Margaret. In 1955, they moved to a new home east of Champion where he resided until his passing.

Irvin was an active member of the Champion and Imperial communities. He served on the Chase County High School Board of Education, Imperial Oil Equity Board, Imperial Volunteer Fire Board, and was a Boy Scout leader. He was a faithful lifelong member of the Imperial United Methodist Church and proudly wore his 75-year membership pin.

In addition to community service, Irvin held a variety of interests. Throughout his life, but especially after retirement, Irvin’s talent for woodworking blossomed. His true genius was in combining the mechanical with the woodworking as demonstrated in many of his one-of-a-kind toys. Irvin was also an avid fisherman. From a small barefoot boy to a well-equipped angler, Irvin loved to fish—a solo outing to his pond, a quick drive to Enders Lake to fish with Chas or Russell, or an annual adventure to SD. His “pond”, which was created for Irvin’s pastime, became a place where countless youngsters learned to fish from “Pa Irv”. He also enjoyed travelling with Garneta to visit family in the US and around the world.

Irvin’s love for music was also evident in his life. He enjoyed playing his trumpet in his youth, singing in numerous quartets, and being a member of the church choir. He and Garneta harmonized hymns for hundreds of funerals. Irvin also supported the Chase County Area Arts Council, attended Christian concerts, professional performances, community musicals, and every school program in which his grandchildren performed—here and across the state. Irvin never missed an opportunity to compliment and encourage performers.

Irvin’s life centered around his love for God, family, and country. His faith was evident in his daily living and the unconditional love he had for his family. Irvin was immensely patriotic and enjoyed recalling memories of his military service.

Irvin was preceded in death by his parents, wife Garneta, sister Vera (Walter) Kleven, sister Alta (LeRoy) Fuehrer, brother Don (Burnetta) Bauerle, sisters-in-law Oneta (Bill) Silvester and Betty Kimberling.

Survivors include:
Children: Mary Lynn (Brian) Horst of North Platte, NE.
Marcia Ann (Jim) Lindau of Axtell, NE.
Marla Kaye (Terry) Hill of Danville, IL.
William (Marcia) Bauerle of Imperial, NE.
Michael (Jill) Bauerle of Imperial, NE.
Margaret (Jeff) Nelson of Omaha, NE.
16 Grandchildren: Brock (Lisa) Lindau of Blair, NE; Carrie (Marc) Reiger of Henderson, NE; Brandon (Lisa) Lindau of Seward, NE; Brett (Marisa) Lindau of Grand Junction, CO; Courtney (Dale) Hemker of Danville, IL; Jeremy (Nagehan) Hill of Saint Charles, MO; Laura Lynn Horst of North Platte, NE; Maika (Scott) Leibbrandt of Imperial, NE; Megan (Kevin) Kelley of North Platte, NE; Lucas Bauerle of Clovis, NM; Andrew Nelson of Gretna, NE; Quinn Nelson of Omaha, NE; Anna (Brady) Brokaw of Grand Island, NE; Emma Bauerle of Lincoln, NE; Jack Bauerle of Imperial, NE; and Bennett Bauerle of Lincoln, NE.
19 Great-grandchildren.
Brother-in-law: Cleon Kimberling.
Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.


Funeral Service will be held Tuesday morning, December 21, 2021, 10:00 A.M. (MT), at the First United Methodist Church of Imperial, with Pastor Debra Copple officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.

Visitation will be held before services on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church of Imperial.

Memorials, in Irvin’s memory, have been suggested to the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department, the First United Methodist Church of Imperial, and to the Champion Community Center, Champion, Nebraska. Cards may be sent to 73591 328 Avenue, Champion, NE 69023.

On-line condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

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