Gwendolyn J. Bauman

Gwendolyn Jean (Zech) Bauman was granted her angel wings on January 28, 2024, as she succumbed to her battle with Dementia at Our House Assisted Living – Memory Care in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, at the age of 77. 

Gwenn was born January 10, 1947, in Chippewa Falls to Clifford and Ellen (Salter) Zech. She graduated from Chi-Hi in 1965. On October 19,1968, Gwenn married Ardell Bauman, and together they brought into this world two loving children. 

To further her education, she went on to earn her teaching degree at UW-Eau Claire. After graduation, Gwenn taught English for a period of time at Chippewa Falls High School. Gwenn later went to work in the field of insurance; she worked first for Scobie Insurance Agency and then Mower Insurance Agency until her retirement in 2013.

Gwenn was a devoted sister, mother, and grandmother who poured her heart and soul into her family. She was so proud of their accomplishments and would tell anyone who would listen about them. She loved to reminisce with her family and tell stories of meaningful times in her life with them. 

Gwenn was an avid reader who loved transporting herself to many places through her love of reading. She enjoyed attending First Presbyterian Church and was an active volunteer at their food and clothing pantry until her body limited her from doing so. Gwenn had a very special adoration for animals, enjoyed gardening, and loved knitting many treasures with her abundant yarn collection. She was also a fan of the Brewers and Packers, and loved to spend her time watching them play whenever she could. A special place to Gwenn was her cabin, where she looked forward to taking her grandchildren to make memories together: rockin’ car rides, goldfish winning, carnival games, classic VHS movies and boat parade viewing to name a few. These are just a few things that made her life one that was well lived.

Gwenn is survived by her children, Katie (Pete) Tessmer and Kyle (Amy) Bauman; grandchildren, Ashley (Bryce Winchell) Tessmer and Brooke, Brenden, and Brynn Bauman; siblings, Fred Zech, Barb Wolfe, Ron (Eva) Zech, Dennis Zech, and Doug (Lyuba) Zech; brother-in-law, Richard Nesvacil; along with many nieces and nephews, and a special little girl who grabbed her heart, Veronica Wagner.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Ellen (Salter) Zech; brothers, Randy Zech and Frank Zech; sister, Ellen Nesvacil; and sister-in-law, Linda Zech.

Gwenn will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. She lives on in their hearts and minds forever. We find peace in knowing that she is now reunited with her departed loved ones who left before her and is most likely already reminiscing in heaven with them now. She is gone yet not forgotten, although we are apart, her spirit lives within us, forever in our hearts. Rest in peace Gwenn until we meet again.

The family would like to thank Our House in Chippewa Falls for caring for Gwenn in the last months of her life. 

And a special thanks to Gwenn’s nurse, Jean Glocke, and her brother, Dennis Zech, for their care and help during Gwenn’s battle with Dementia.

The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Rev. Ed Williams, First Presbyterian Church, will be officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Chippewa Humane Association or the Make-A-Wish Foundation.