Ilene Renee Bauer.....Age 75

Visitation: 12:30-3pm, Saturday, October 22, 2016.

Services: 3pm, Saturday, October 22, 2016.
All at the Eddy-Birchard Chapel.

Burial: Ruhamah Cemetery, Rantoul, Kansas.

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Ilene Renee Bauer age 75 of Rantoul, Kansas formerly of Raymore, Missouri passed from this earth on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas after her courageous battle with Cancer.

Even in her final days she showed how much “fight” she had as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, by refusing to pass until her newest great grandson (Eli) was welcomed in to the family and she got to meet him.

Ilene was born August 11, 1941 one of five to Darlene and Ivan Holmes in Loup City, Nebraska. She later was adopted by family members, Guy and Laura Bridges. She grew up and attended school in Litchfield, Nebraska.

On May 17, 1958 she married the love of her life, Ervin Allen Bauer and the two began their life of fifty-six years together on a farm near Litchfield. While living on this same farm Ilene blessed Ervin with three daughters: Peggy JoAnn, Dianna Marie and Connie Jo.

Ilene and Ervin traveled the mid-west with their three girls making a home anywhere Ervin settled them. Ilene worked as a seamstress, often sewing her girls’ clothing as well as for many others. She would fondly say how she never used a pattern when making the clothes. She also worked many years in customer service, management of resorts, restaurants and in book-keeping as well.

Ervin and Ilene eventually bought their own riding stables in Arkansas and named it “Horseshoe Stables”. They moved the stables from Arkansas to Iowa to Missouri with horses all the way and in Missouri was where they started their last stable, built a rodeo arena, restaurant and bar and named it “Rawhide Stables”. During this time they began a Boy Scout program, Ervin and Ilene thrived on educating the youth in all aspects of equestrian life. Numerous lives have been touched by this strong and loving woman, she will be remembered by many family and friends alike.

Ilene was preceded in death by both her biological and adoptive parents, her husband Ervin in 2014 and her sister Donna.

She is survived by her daughters: Peggy JoAnn, Dianna Marie, Connie Jo (Bill). Grandchildren: Brandon, Tabitha (Jesse), Jeremy (Jenna), Jesse (Amanda), Ricky RayII (Shadonna), Alexander (Alli) and Bailey. Great Grandchildren: Laney, Ricky Ray III, Wyatt, Henry, Sophia, Chance, Lorali, Chet, Paisley, Izzabella and Eli.