The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Ray Bauer was born July 24, 1931, in Portland, Ore., to Otto and Miriam Bauer and passed away February 10, 2020, in Longview.

Ray lived in Cedar Mills, Ore., until he was 14 and the family moved to Puget Island. Ray married Wilma Petersen in 1951 and had two daughters, Betti and Linda. Ray worked for the Department of Fisheries, and the family moved quite often. In 1965, Ray began working construction, and the family moved to Kennewick, where they lived until his retirement in 1975, when the family returned to Puget Island and Ray started a backhoe and dozer business. During this time, Ray and Wilma also raised cattle and sheep.

After retiring the second time, he worked for Stanley Sanitary Service. Ray and Wilma divorced in 1990, and he married Ora Loraine Bjorge in 1998.

A volunteer firefighter for over 45 years, 30 of them with the Puget Island Fire Department, Ray was always eager to lend a hand wherever he could. His hobbies included weekend rockhounding, collecting antiques, gardening, woodworking, bingo and traveling. Ray’s greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ray is survived by his wife Ora Loraine; daughters Betti Kaste (Dan) and Linda Seaberg (Dean); stepchildren Ken Bjorge (Joyce), Craig Bjorge, Cathy Reynolds (Mark); granddaughters Amy Bosckis (Blake) and Brandi Beedle (Nolan); step grandchildren Jeff Bjorge (Julie), April Larson, Tyson Bjorge (Lisa), Ashley Bray (Brandon), Connor Bjorge, Allison Bjorge, Colleen Reynolds (James); great-grandchildren Jase, Isla and Kade; step grandchildren Taylor, Emily, Madyson, Morgan, Ryan, Aynslie, Nash, Tate and Koda; and step great-great grandson Cooper. His brother Ed Baur (Linda) and numerous nieces and nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dorothy Proctor, two stepsons, Kirk and Jim Bjorge, and step grandson Joby Bjorge.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Puget Island Fire Department or Community Home Health and Hospice. Graveside services were held February 15, 2020, at Greenwood Cemetery in Cathlamet, with a coffee hour that followed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.

- Paid Obituary -