Joan Margret Zimmer Bauer, the youngest child of Donald and Betty (Koenck) Zimmer, was born February 10, 1958 in Denison, Iowa. She passed away on November 5, 2024 at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital at the age of 66 after fighting hard against cancer and a sudden stroke.
Joan grew up outside Boyer, Iowa and attended Odebolt Arthur Schools graduating in 1976. Following high school, Joan attended DMACC and received her LPN license to begin her lifelong calling as a nurse.
On September 9, 1978, Joan was united in marriage to Brent Bauer at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Vail, Iowa. Joan and Brent planted their roots in Audubon, Iowa where raised their three children and become involved in the community.
Caring for others through nursing, volunteering, friendship, and being a mother was Joan’s true calling in life. She dedicated her life to being a nurse at the Audubon Friendship Home, Manning Nursing Home, and finally Audubon County Memorial Hospital. She was an active volunteer with Caring and Sharing, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, American Red Cross, and American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. Joan’s Catholic faith, love for her large family, and amazing friendships brought her strength and happiness every day.
If Joan wasn’t working, baking, gardening, or volunteering she was running. As a lifelong long-distance runner, Joan combined her passion for the sport with raising awareness for cancer. She participated in several half marathons, hundreds of 5k’s, and even a couple full marathons. Joan was honored to participate with Above and Beyond Cancer’s Million Dollar Marathon relay across the United States. On a warm July day in 2013, Joan ran a marathon along Highway 44 as part of the relay. The following month, she also was invited to run through Washington, DC and the last marathon to the Atlantic Ocean with other participates. Doing the Million Dollar Marathon inspired Joan to create Team Fighting Mad for American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. For twelve years, her team would run a relay from the north side of Audubon County to the southern border.
When Joan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2024, she may have been forced to leave nursing, but she never slowed down. She continued to spend time with loved ones, bake, run, volunteer, and cheer on the Chicago Cubs while cuddling with her dog Einstein.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents Donald & Betty Zimmer, sisters Karen Reisz and Susan Reising, brother Keith Zimmer, brothers in law Neil Reising and Robert Reisz, in-laws Victor & Vesper Bauer, niece Cathy Szynskie, and many other friends and family.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years Brent, daughters Andrea (Waukee, Iowa), Carrie (Delta, Colorado), and son Alex (Atlanta, Georgia). Brothers Francis Zimmer (Vicki), Charlie Zimmer (Pat), and Dale Zimmer (Judy); sisters Donna Gallas (Roger) and Janie Siegner (Joe); aunt Mary Lou Koenck, and uncle Duane Zimmer. In laws Nancy Johnson (Lester), Ted Bauer (Donna), Terry Bauer (Crystal), Brenda Boynton (Robert), and Michael Bauer (Carrie). Along with over 40 nieces and nephews and more than 50 great nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Team Fighting Mad through American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Checks can be mailed to Schmidt Funeral Home PO Box 201, Audubon, Iowa 50025 or donations made online at http://main.acsevents.org/
The Mass of Christian Burial for Joan will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Catholic in Audubon with Fr. Wayne Gubbels as the Celebrant and Fr. Andy Galles as a concelebrant. Interment will follow the mass at Maple Grove Cemetery. After the committal, a luncheon will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish Hall.
