Dolores Bauman

life story

A loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend to many

Dolores Bauman, age 71, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2022, surrounded by family. Dolores was a loving wife to Leo for 50 great years, an amazing mother to three children, Troy, Todd and Tricia, and a wonderful sister, aunt and friend to many, near and far. She will be dearly missed, but we will remember her through all she has taught us and her love for cooking, quilting, the holidays and all things family.

About Dolores (aka Duff, Mom, Grandma Dede)

Dolores Bauman, age 71, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2022.

She was born on June 18, 1951 to Erwin and Julia (Schiltz) Heldorfer. Dolores grew up on a family farm in Bancroft, IA and was the youngest of nine siblings. Growing up, Dolores had many great memories on the farm, including playing in an old ‘playhouse’ shed with her sisters where they had fun decorating it, playing dress-up and ‘cooking’. This was just the start to her future love of entertaining. After graduating high school, she moved to Minneapolis, MN with her good high school friend, Sue (Lynch) McCleish and began working at an insurance company.

Dolores was married to Leo on July 1, 1972 and they became the proud parents of three children, Troy, Todd and Tricia. Leo’s job opportunities took them across the country living in: St. Louis Park, Minnesota; West Bend, Wisconsin; Detroit, Michigan; Lakeville, Minnesota; Knoxville, TN; San Antonio, Texas and a final return to Lakeville, Minnesota (again!). Of all the places they lived, their time in Tennessee holds a special place for the friends, great memories, and mountain scenery. Lifelong friends were made along the way, but Mom was most excited to return to the Midwest in 1992.

While Mom spent most of her life living outside of Iowa, you could never take the Iowa out of mom. She had a strong love for the state, her childhood home, and memories on the farm. Her love of cooking and entertaining was instilled in all of her children. Dolores hosted some great dinner parties, with Leo as the sous-chef, both for fun and for fundraising purposes. She also had a love for quilting and going on quilt ‘hops’ throughout Minnesota and the Midwest. Her love of quilting was successfully passed on to Leo, who continued her projects when she couldn’t. She was the planner for many sister weekends, which always included a crafting project for all. Traveling was another joy and included trips to France, Germany and Alaska. While she suffered some short-term memory loss later in life, her long-term memory never failed. She could rattle off names, birthdays, and anniversaries of the entire extended family (and we have a big family!). Nothing meant more to Mom than family.

She was a spouse and best friend for 50 wonderful years, mother to her own and whomever was in the house at the time, sister, aunt and friend to so many.

Dolores is survived by her husband, Leo, and children, Troy (Kylene) Bauman of Bloomington, MN, Todd (Michelle) Bauman of Lakeville, MN, Tricia (Chris) Grady of Chicago, IL. Grandchildren Ryan (17), Abby (14), Jackson (8) and Addison (5).

She is also survived by seven siblings – Kenneth (Marilyn) Heldorfer, Betty Fox, Maxine (John) Rooney, Georgia Carlson, Philip (Ann Marie) Heldorfer, (Karen) Heldorfer, Virginia Heldorfer, OSF and Arlene (John) Lensing as well as many, many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Erwin and Julia Heldorfer; her in-laws Nicholas and Marcella Bauman; brother Donald Heldorfer; brother-in-laws Jack Carlson, Bernie Fox and Gene Bauman; and nephew Jeff Heldorfer.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

April 22, 2023

Bloomington Event Center 1114 American Blvd W, Bloomington, MN 55420, USA

Join us to celebrate the life of both Dolores and Leo on Saturday, April 22nd from 1-4 pm. We will have light snacks, drinks and will be sharing memories starting at 2 pm. We will be *attempting* to stream the service at 2 pm via Facebook for those unable to join in person. Feel free to reach out to request a group invite if interested. https://fb.me/e/4nwvvZMfV

We look forward to you joining us in celebrating our amazing parents and the life they lived.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services