Leon J. “L.J.” Bauer, age 82, of Hazel Green, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at MercyOne Dubuque.  To celebrate Leon’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church, North Buena Vista, Iowa.  There will also be visitation held before the funeral service on Wednesday at the church hall from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. in North Buena Vista.  Burial will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, North Buena Vista.

Leon was born on June 30, 1943, at home on the family farm in North Buena Vista, the son of Joseph and Althea (Petsche) Bauer.

Leon attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and then transferred to Guttenberg for high school.  He was employed in the upholstery department at Flexsteel for over 42 years until his well earned retirement.

Leon married MaDonna Eggers, on May 27, 1967, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Kieler, Wisconsin.  They were an amazing couple who raised 3 wonderful children.

Leon was extremely generous with sharing his time and talents.  He was very active with the Boy Scouts of America, and served as a Scout Master for several years.  Leon was a talented woodworker who made intricate wooden toys, high chairs and cradles.  He loved creating beautiful pieces and giving his creations away to family and friends.  Leon had a green thumb.  He grew Hostas and shared his plants with others so they could enjoy them in their own gardens.  His generosity truly knew no limits.  Leon was always very involved with the community.  He volunteered regularly and donated countless items for auctions throughout the years.  Leon appreciated nature and enjoyed feeding the wild birds, especially Hummingbirds.  He enjoyed spending time on the water canoeing with the family.  His family and friends were the world to him.  Leon always made time to stop and enjoy the day and visit with others he encountered along the way.  Leon was a wonderful husband, dad and pappa, who was an outstanding role model for his family.  We are truly heartbroken at losing Leon so suddenly in our daily lives.  He was a great man, and we will miss him tremendously. 

Those left to cherish Leon’s memory include

his wife, Donna Bauer, Hazel Green, WI;

his children,
Ronda (Steven) Brimeyer, Dubuque, IA,
Robert (Elizabeth) Bauer, Hazel Green, WI
and Dawn (Jeffrey) Schonhoff, Savage, MN;

10 grandchildren; Logan, Erica, Morgan, Devyn, Willow, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Stephanie, Gregory and William;

his siblings, Francis (Brenda) Bauer, Cassville, WI,
Linda Hogan, Holy Cross, IA
Julie Johnson, Brighton, CO,
John (Pat) Bauer, North Buena Vista, IA,
Ed Bauer, Dubuque, IA,
Mary Jane (Dan) Jacobson, Dubuque, IA,
Laura (Tony) King, Fairview Heights, IL,
Andy (Pam) Bauer, Dubuque, IA
and Tim (Dawn) Bauer, Adel, IA;

and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Kenneth Bauer Sr.

Leon’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Cardiovascular Unit at MercyOne for their kindness, compassion and outstanding care, not only for Leon, but the entire family.

Cards and memorials in Leon’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Leon Bauer Family.

 Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com