Margaret "Maggie" Ellen Bauer

CORVALLIS - Margaret (Maggie) Ellen Smith Bauer of Corvallis passed peacefully into our Lord’s arms February 26, 2025.   Her infectious smile and sparkling personality and quick wit left an indelible impression of happiness with all ages.  Margaret was born on September 22, 1936, the last daughter of five children to Paul and Pauline Lemon Smith in Spokane, WA.  Margaret grew up on Mount Spokane and attended school in Mead, Washington, graduating in 1954 where she lettered in Song Leading.   Soon after, she moved to Ritzville Washington and became a Switchboard operator for MaBell, one of the first in the area.  While in Ritzville she met her husband, Harland Bauer.  They married on September 8, 1956.  They were active members of the Ritzville chapter of JayCee's and JayCettes; she volunteered for the Red Cross and was a Sunday School teacher at the Philadelphia Congregational Church.  She spent many years driving school bus for the Ritzville School District, including driving to the away Wrestling Team events.

They farmed in Ritzville until 1976, at which time they moved their farming operation to Corvallis MT.  Besides being an active partner in their farming operation, Margaret served as an Election Judge at the Polls and worked at the Ravalli County Fair in the Premium Office and as an Exhibit Judge Clerk. She attended Corvallis Community Church where she was active in Children’s church and helped with VBS.  She earned an associate’s degree in Accounting and Bookkeeping from the VoTech in Missoula, now a part of the University of Montana.  Margaret was accomplished in sewing, knitting and crocheting.   Most recently her favorite activities included reading, visiting her friends, cuddling her cat Pumpkin and being a devoted grandmother.

She is survived by her brother, Andrew Smith of Prescott Valley, AZ; daughters, Crystal Bauer of Hamilton, Brenda Gustafson and her husband Bruce of Fairbanks AK and Robyn Samek of Missoula; grandchildren, Harley, Eric and fiancée Miriam Abitbol, and Hannah and her husband Eric Tribble; and great-grandchildren, Brayden and Maggie, Calvin and wife Alexandra Gustafson, Rachel and husband Earl Jensen and Sarah Manning and fiancé Hunter Davis; plus numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by both her parents, 3 siblings, and her husband,  Harland Bauer.

Memorial services will be held at Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton on Saturday, March 22 at 2:00 PM.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.