Irene Lois Bauder was born April 19, 1928, in Cottage Grove, Oregon, to John and Bonnie Schaffer. She went to school in Cottage Grove and graduated from Cottage Grove High School in 1946. It was in high school that Irene met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Bauder. She knew right away that he was something special.
In her youth, she worked at the local movie theaters and a variety store. She learned to play the piano and accompanied school productions. She did not play sports, but she was the head yell queen. At an early age, she remembers visiting the library and becoming a lifelong reader. Another memory was tap dancing lessons as a young girl – she even took lessons as an adult! Irene’s other talents included drawing, painting, and gardening.
After high school, Irene worked as a secretary for a couple of attorneys in Cottage Grove. Bob returned from the Navy, and they married on July 11, 1948, at the Walker Church. Shortly after their wedding, Irene contracted tuberculosis and spent their first anniversary in the TB hospital in Salem, Oregon. She was able to come home within a year. As a young couple, they were active in the community.
Irene and Bob started their family with a son, Robert, followed by a daughter, Nanci. They were surprised when Baby #3 turned out to be twin girls, Julie and Jana. With four children, Irene was a busy homemaker!
They loved to travel. One of Bob and Irene’s early vacations to Florida included a surprise trip to Cuba. Family trips with four children in the car were always interesting, as you can well imagine. They traveled from the Oregon Coast to the Redwoods and beyond. Irene and Bob continued to enjoy traveling in their retirement, including to Australia and Europe.
Irene was very devoted to her family. She took great joy in attending her children’s and grandchildren’s various activities. She didn’t want to miss a thing!
Irene was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she and Bob were charter members. Her faith was very important to her, and it showed in all that she did.
Irene is survived by her son Bob and wife Molly, daughter Nanci Strickland and her husband Larry, daughter Julie Bauder, daughter Jana Bauder Potucek and her husband Charlie Potucek, 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Bonnie Schaffer, her brother Marvin, and her husband Bob.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove. A private family graveside was held at Rest-Haven Memorial Park in Eugene. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel.
If you wish to make a donation in honor of Irene’s memory, please consider donating to:
American Lung Association, Friends of the Cottage Grove Library, or Trinity Lutheran Church.
