Linus Bauer

Linus Lee Bauer, 84, Velva, formerly of Butte, ND, died, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, peacefully in his home in Velva, surrounded by his family. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, December 17, at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Valley Lutheran Church in Velva. For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed on the Oak Valley Lutheran Church Facebook and YouTube pages. Burial will take place at the Butte Cemetery at a later date.

Linus was the only child of Emanuel and Lydia (Rust) Bauer, born April 3, 1938, and was raised on the family farm south of Butte. He attended country school through the 8th grade and then attended and graduated from Butte High School in 1956. After graduation Linus enlisted in the US Army and served for four years. Following his honorable discharge from the army, he worked for Lindteigen Construction before taking over the family farm. While running his farm and raising his family he worked for Mattson Construction, area Livestock sale barns, and the McLean County Highway Department.

In 1970, Linus met and married the love of his life, Myrtle Auch, and, on October 17, 1970, they were married in the Mercer School Gymnasium. They made their home on the family farm 13 miles south of Butte where he raised cattle and farmed the land. On July 22, 1971, their first daughter, Melissa, was born with their second daughter, Janelle following on March 7, 1974. Linus retired from farming and raising cattle in 2009 and moved to Velva to enjoy his retirement and family. Linus loved his family and friends, and especially loved playing around with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved practical jokes and horsing around with anyone and everyone. He had many great friends over the years who he enjoyed having coffee and lunch with while visiting about farming, weather, and area happenings.

Linus was a member of the Mercer Baptist Church but attended the Velva Methodist Church regularly after moving to Velva. He was also a long-standing member of the American Legion Post 270 in Butte where he served in the Color Guard for many Veterans Day and Memorial Day services as well as for many area parades and funerals.

Linus is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Myrtle; daughters, Melissa Plesuk (Mike Jacobson) of Mandan and Janelle (Todd) Yecoshenko of Waunakee, WI; grandchildren, Mariah (James) McNulty of Minot, Sierra Plesuk (Joel Ramnath) of Waco, TX, Cooper, Brooke, and Cash Yecoshenko of Waunakee, WI; great-grandsons, Aiden, Colton, and Dillon McNulty of Minot; sisters-in-law, Carol (Dave) Scott, Carla (Rod) Kuhn and Noreen (Marvin) Vogel; brother-in-law Norman (Renae) Auch; many special cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Linus was preceded in death by his parents, Emanuel, and Lydia Bauer; in-laws, Theophil and Anna Auch; and brother-in-law, Myron Auch.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Velva Ambulance, the Butte Cemetery, the Lawrence E. Meidl American Legion Post 270, or a charity of your choice.