On October 24, 2020 Edward started his journey. He left this world the he wanted, peacefully in his sleep. He leaves us with broken hearts and a void that can never be replaced. He taught us to be strong. So, for him we will.
Edward Grant Bauer, TaOwade Kude, “Shoots his Lightning” (old soul warrior who used his voice instead of weapons for His people.) was born on January 23, 1951 in Poplar, Montana to Joseph and Leah (Funk) Bauer. His saying was “I’m a 7 th son of a 7 th son.” Ed grew up in Oswego with his siblings, Joan (died in infancy), Barbara, Patricia, Debra, Joyce and Judy.
He attended school in Frazer excelling in basketball, a sport he loved, track and cross country. He later received his GED then enrolled in Northern Montana College in Havre. At Northern he helped organize and participate in the Indian Club. He also played on the “Golden” Independent team, traveling all over to play in tournaments.
Ed met Ellen Fyfe in 1969 and married in 1970. To this union, Christopher, Stacey, and Heather were born. They later divorced but remained good friends.
He took a few years off from college to help the family with the farming and ranching. Ed loved animals and made sure they always had plenty to eat and drink. He returned to college where he graduated in 1981 with his bachelors in Education. He taught in Frazer, coaching basketball and assisting in cross country.
Ed met Joni McClammy and were married in November 1978. To this union Eddie II and Francis were born. They later divorced but remained good friends.
Ed and Sue met in 1986 and were married on October 2, 1998, together they had four sons, Joshua, John, Jacob, and Joseph. And their much-awaited daughter, Jessie. They supported and enjoyed all the activities and sports their children were involved in. Ed loved his children and grandchildren deeply. He was so very proud of each and every one of them. He often commented to others about his 3 beautiful daughters and 7 handsome sons. A couple of highlights he was fond of is when his son Chris fasted and sundanced four years for his Dad’s healing after Ed suffered his first heart attack. Ed would camp a ways off to keep an eye on him until he came off the hill. Then they would go to sundance where Ed would support Chris, his sister Joyce and others who were there.
He was proud when 3 of his sons were half of the six-man team in Frazer. He was also proud of his son Jacob for helping the Wolf Point Wolves win the basketball State Championship, going all year undefeated! He was proud of Josh’s artistic ability, taking any painting or drawing and making a masterpiece. Joe of his hard dedication throughout the years of helping on the lil ranch. And Jessie, “my little daughter” as he would call her, proud of her independence and courage to stand up for herself. Getting a kick out of watching her stuff the other opponent in basketball. He was proud of John’s accomplishment at housing, and was so happy when he got to bring him home from Billings.
He also took pride in the Old Bauer place in Culbertson, every spring he’s cut grass and pull weeds at the homestead.
Ed enjoyed traveling, reading, hunting, fishing, gardening, cutting wood. He knew the names of all the trees, grasses and plants. He loved to bake. Making the most delicious blueberry and apple pies, the family couldn’t wait to eat them when we heard he was baking. The most recent one was crab apple pie he made for us from the apples he picked from his tree.
Ed was very smart and intelligent man, a hard worker. Very seldom you would see him sitting down, he kept himself busy no matter what he was doing. Throughout his life he held many jobs and positions. He worked at the City of Wolf Point, planning for the Tribes, Fort Peck Tribes Housing. He was Director of Sexual Abuse Program, Director of Housing Improvement Program, Chairman of Frazer school board where he helped get the football program back in Frazer. He was involved in Oswego Community Organization, he was a Fish and Game Commissioner, Housing Commissioner, on Fort Peck Water Board, FPCC Board, HPDP Board.
The most important board he was proud of was sitting on the Fort Peck Tribal Council. Ed was elected by his people for 3 consecutive terms (6 years). Just a few of the accomplishments he helped create while on the board were going to D.C. to negotiate the Cobell/Salazar settlement, the Wellness Center in Poplar that is currently getting built, the new community hall in Wolf Point and he also helped get the highway lights on Hwy 2 west of Wolf Point. Upon retirement in 2019 he focused on his cattle ranch and farm, his duties at the complex. He was very independent, seldom asking for physical help, he would push himself to the point where he was satisfied to whatever feat he was doing.
God saw you were getting tired and decided to take you home, no more suffering, no more pain. We will cherish and love you forever.
Ed is survived by his wife Sue, Chris (Carly) of Ahwatukee, AZ, Stacey (Jeremy) Malvitz of Green Bay, WI, Heather (Frank) Snith of Oneida, WI, Eddie (Nourah) and Frankie of Wolf Point, Joshua (Marcella) of Oswego, John (Thomasine) of Oswego, Jacob (Tiara) of Bozeman, Joseph and Jessica of Oswego, his grandchildren Tzennibah, Adriana, Alexis, Ashley, Carly, Alexis, Ariel, Veronica, Frank Jr., Leah, Killeon, Alaycia, Tayven, Josh Jr., Azalea, Coraline, Brooklyn, Eliana, Great great grandchildren Vincent and Sage, his sisters Pat (George) Arthur, Deb (Huber) Wright, Judy (Dana) Buckles, Katie, Joe (Linda) Bauer.
After the burial the family is inviting everyone to stop at the Oswego Community Hall where they will hand out to-go boxes.
***In keeping with COVID-19 guidelines, we are asking that attendance for services be limited to immediate family and friends. Masks are required for all public services.***
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