Brittingham and Hixon hired him for a time shortly after his retirement. Bennie’s wife Audrey suffered a fall down the basement stairs that left her wheel chair bound in 2008?] [Bennie cared for his disabled wife who was also suffering from Alzheimer’s. While continuing to work at Brittingham and Hixon until his terminal illness.

Bennie willingly and happily helped many people in the Baraboo community with home remodeling, home repairs, plumbing, electrical and mechanical needs. Bennie also crafted beautiful wood pieces such as cabinets, mantels, wood garage doors, wall displays and jewelry boxes. Bennie was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Merrimac, serving on the church council as treasurer for 45 years and as an usher. He built the church’s communion rail, losing the tip of his finger in the process, as well as the hymnal wall displays.

Bennie would always lend a hand to his family, loved his grandchildren, attended all family events and worked harder than most. Bennie was humble, honest, kind and intelligent, despite his lack of education.

Bennie built the building that currently houses the Circus World Museum’s circus wagons.

Audrey Mae Gustin Bauer

Time period/Baraboo 1925 – 1952, 2009-2013

Submitted by: Judy Nowak

Gifted soloist, medical transcriptionist and medical records clerk, farm and home wife, energetic dance and talented person who entertained many in the Baraboo community.

Audrey was born a twin on December 8, 1925. The youngest of five in Baraboo. Her twin brother died at six weeks of age. Audrey lived in Baraboo on the south side from birth to approximately 1952. Audrey was employed at St. Mary’s Ringling hospital, now St. Clare, as a medical transcriptionist/medical records clerk from 1941 – 1946. Audrey met the love of her life, Bennie Bauer and the Baraboo Dance Hall. Bennie went off to WW II and when he returned, Audrey and Bennie rekindled their love. They were married in August 1946. Audrey and Bennie were loving parents and grandparents, never missing a family or friend event.

Audrey worked hard on the farm with Bennie from 1952-1965. In 1965 Audrey became a full-time mother and homemaker. Audrey successfully gave birth and raised two children, a boy and a girl.

Audrey was a member of the Baraboo Theater Guild from 1967 – 1975 performing in the chorus in the 1968 production of Oklahoma, in the 1969 production of South Pacific, and in The Unsinkable Molly Brown in 1975.

Audrey worked many part-time jobs such as car hop at Sorg’s A&W Root Beer stand and later on as a cook. She also worked as cook and concession clerk/cashier for Dolly’s Shack on the Lodi side of the Merrimac Ferry and as a maid for Dolly Ott’s cabins.

Audrey was a beautiful soloist (soprano) for weddings, funerals, church choir and nursing homes. Audrey loved to entertain, performing many comedic skits and tap dancing routines. Audrey’s favorite hobby, however, was dancing the night away at whatever event with her beloved husband. Audrey loved to have fun.Audrey was an active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Merrimac, participating in many committees and as a Sunday school teacher.

Audrey was also on a bowling team for many years in Baraboo and Sauk Prairie. For a few years Audrey and her bowling team were sponsored by Bennie Bauer Builders and traveld out of the city for many bowling tournaments, proudly representing Baraboo.Audrey sustained a serious injury when she fell down her home’s basement stairs causing vertebrae fractures requiring surgery and unfortunately became wheel chair bound in 2009. This fall exacerbated Audrey’s early signs of Alzheimer’s disease which eventually caused her death in 2013. Audrey and Bennie lived together in a room at Our House facility in Baraboo and were visited often by many family and friends.