BEND, Ore. – Phyllis Witzel Bauer was born on April 9, 1920, in Ashton, to Adam and Annie Witzel. Adam had a filling station in the eastern part of Ashton and also drove a school bus. Annie was a busy mom, handled Modern Woodmen Insurance and was a very active member of the local Woman’s Club. Phyllis reports they were they greatest parents. 

Phyllis had a sister, Betty Witzel Wirth and a brother, Kenneth “Peanuts” Witzel. The family all attended St. John’s Lutheran Church regularly.

Phyllis attended Ashton Schools and then went on to the University of Illinois. She moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she was a dietician at a local hospital. It was there she met and married Dr. Donald Bauer.

The Bauers lived in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, and then moved on to cities in California and Oregon. Don passed away in 1993. Phyllis is the mother of five children now residing in Jekyll Island, Georgia, California and Oregon. She has eight grandchildren and 17 great- grandchildren. She also has a nephew Jon Wirth of Freeport and a niece, Terri Witzel.

Over the years she has remained connected to Jon and Nancy Reed of Salem, Oregon and Barbara Reed Eaton of San Rafael, California. She enjoys the Ashton Gazette, especially the Lest We Forget column and news they share.

Due to the current virus health concerns, celebrations may have to be changed to a later date.

Phyllis would enjoy hearing from Ashton friends. Cards may be sent to:

Mrs. Phyllis Bauer, Whispering Winds Retirement Center No. 328, 2920 N. E. Conners Ave., Bend, OR, 97701