Obituary of RACHEL BAUER (2021) – Lake Zurich, IL

It pleased Almighty God to receive the soul of Rachel Elizabeth Bauer. Rachel entered her eternal home in Heaven on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at the age of 53. She was born to Bob and Ruthann Mickelson on February 6, 1968 in Madison, WI. She was baptized by her grandfather into Christ on February 18, 1968 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Savior. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Eastside Lutheran Church in 1982. She graduated from Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills, WI in 1986. At Lakeside, she excelled in music and sports – drum major , piano, flute, volleyball, softball, basketball. She attended the University of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and in 1990 graduated from high school. At UWM, she was a starter for four years on the women’s basketball team. She still ranks among the school’s all-time leaders when it comes to scoring and bouncing. Rachel was married to Andrew Bauer on June 23, 1990 at the Eastside Lutheran Church in Madison, WI. The Bauers were blessed with three children: Lydia (1991), Audrey (1992) and Jeremiah (1995). In 1995, the Bauers moved from Holmen, Wisconsin to Buffalo Grove, Illinois so that Andy could be the pastor of the New Life Lutheran Church. The Bauers moved to Lake Zurich, IL five years later and have resided there for the past twenty years. Rachel passed on her athleticism to her children and loved watching them participate in high school and college sports. Rachel shared her love of basketball holding several coaching positions, most importantly as the girls varsity head coach at Wheeling High School for several years. She also worked as a receptionist at Associated Dental in Long Grove, IL. Mostly, she served alongside her husband in the ministry of the New Life Lutheran Church and the Tree of Life Lutheran Preschool. She took great joy in her work as church secretary, organist, preschool director, women’s group leader, and music director. She found immense fulfillment in doing the Lord’s work while supporting her husband. Rachel was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1999. Over time, MS gradually took away the ability to do the many activities she loved so much, including the ability to walk. Despite the growing list of things she couldn’t do anymore – made worse by the effects of a stroke she suffered in June 2020 – she has always behaved with dignity and grace. She is survived by her husband, the Reverend Andrew Bauer. Also survived by his children Lydia (Daniel) Turner, Audrey (Luke) Talbot, Jeremiah (Vanesa) Bauer; his grandchildren Caleb and Noelle Turner; his parents Bob and Ruthann Mickelson; and her brother Seth (Lisa) Mickelson. She was predeceased by her sister Sarah Stiger. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 28, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Davenport Family Funeral and Crematorium, 941 S. Old Rand Rd., Lake Zurich, IL. A second visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 29 from 9 am until time of Christian funeral at 10 am at New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, 910 S. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich, IL. Reverend Thomas Schultz will officiate. Interment will follow at Fairfield Cemetery, 24375 N. Quentin Rd., Lake Zurich, IL. Memorial donations can be made in Rachel’s name to the New Life Endowment Fund, 910 S. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich, 60047. For more information or to leave condolences online with the family, please visit www.davenportfamily.com or dial 847-550-4221.