Floyd Ray Bauer was born in the family’s rural farmhouse near Zearing, Iowa, to Harold and Arlene (Frohwein) Bauer on Aug. 19, 1939. He passed away Feb. 17, 2026. He was a hardworking farm kid with three brothers, Merle, Roger, and Wayne. In high school he excelled at playing the trumpet, basketball, and baseball.  

He had an opportunity to join the St Louis Cardinals farm team; however, upon graduation in 1957 from Zearing High School, he chose to join the Marine Corps. His specialty was communications, and he was stationed in the Philippines during non-war time. Floyd loved this country and was proud to be a Marine. 

Floyd and his family attended St John’s Lutheran Church in Hubbard, Iowa. Floyd grew up knowing, being confirmed with, dating, and later marrying the love of his life, Joan Margaret Winter on June 15, 1961. Two GREAT (LOL) daughters made them a family, Renee and Dawn.   

Floyd had a long resume of work accomplishments. In the beginning of their marriage, he worked in road construction, helping put in Interstate 80 in Iowa. In the late 60’s, he took over the family livestock farm and farming when his parents retired to Ames, Iowa. Floyd took stints managing hog operations, working as a big diesel mechanic for Caterpillar, selling feed, ranch hand for hire and finished his working career in his 60’s raising high quality alfalfa to sell to stables in Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Texas. Floyd loved his Farmall/IH tractors, using and maintaining several of them throughout the years. One of the last things he did while at home was hook a plow to one of the Super C’s and turn over the garden, ready for another year of produce.      

Floyd loved animals. He appreciated all farm animals, especially his horses and used them in his ranch hand work. He had several over the years and he taught his girls how to ride and train. Cats were special to Floyd and he had many over the years and his last pet was Nasty, the “dog” in cat’s clothing. No one can deny that his favorite by far, was Rhyker. He was a large black German Shepherd who went everywhere with Floyd. He would go to town and almost every store would let Rhyker come in too. They were inseparable buddies. 

Floyd was preceded in death by his grandson, Jake Reeves; his parents, Harold Bauer and Arlene Bauer; brother, Roger Bauer; and sister-in-law, Eloise Bauer.   

He is survived by his wife, Joan (Winter) Bauer; daughters, Renee and husband Mike Watson of Stone Mountain, Georgia, and Dawn and husband Thomas Reeves of Lincoln; brother, Merle Bauer of Rancho Cucamonga, California; brother, Wayne and wife Kathie Bauer of Gilbert, Arizona; sister-in-law, Effie Bauer; brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard and Sherri Winter, David and Jean Winter and Dr. Dennis and Trudy Winter all from Hubbard, Iowa. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends who had a special place in his heart. Floyd never met a stranger.  

A Celebration of Life service for Floyd is being planned for April 17, at 11 a.m. at Floyd and Joan’s church, Our Redeemer Missouri Synod Lutheran in North Platte, with burial at 3 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell. The service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend.