Fr. Jacob F. Bauer, 92, of Grand Island, NE, died Saturday, January 03, 2015, at Tiffany Square Care Center. Mass of the Christian Burial will be Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Spalding, NE. The Most Rev. William J. Dendinger will serve as the main celebrant with Rev. Matthew J. Koperski and other priests of the Diocese of Grand Island concelebrating. Burial will be in St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery in Spalding, NE. Visitation will be Monday, January, 5, 2015, from 5 7 p.m. at St. Marys Cathedral, in Grand Island with a vigil rosary service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Tuesday from 9 a.m. until service time at St. Michaels Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Spalding Academy, Catholic Education, or mass offerings. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Fr. Jake was born July 12, 1922 in Spalding, NE, he was the son of Jacob and Marie Theresa (Latzel) Bauer. He was the middle child of a blended family of seven boys and three girls. Survivors of his immediate family include a brother and sister-in-law, Victor and Leila Bauer of Spalding, NE One sister, Sr. Collete Marie Bauer O.P. of St. Catherine, KY Sisters-in-law, Josephine Bauer of Spalding, NE Eileen Bauer of Spalding, NE Others left to cherish his memory include numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends. His parents farmed and he attended School District 19 until the eighth grade. He attended Spalding Academy and his college, philosophical and theological training was taken at St. Johns Seminary in Little Rock, AR. He signed up to be a seminarian under Bishop Stanislaus Bona and was ordained to the priesthood in St. Marys Cathedral in Grand Island by Bishop Hunkeler on May 27, 1948. Fr. Bauers first assignment was as assistant at St. James in Kearney. He also served as assistant at Sacred Heart, Greeley, Alliance and Grand Island, and was temporary administrator at Greeley and Dalton. On July 1, 1955, he was appointed administrator of St. Marys at Nenzel and St. Elizabeths Mission at Merriman. Under his direction the new church at Merriman was built and later dedicated in August 1957. He was named pastor of the parish and the mission. In August 1959, Fr. Bauer was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ravenna, overseeing the construction of a new rectory while there. He was appointed pastor of Christ the King Parish in Gering in 1973 adding St. Marys Mission at Minatare in September of 1974. In 1981, he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Sutherland, St. Patricks Mission, Paxton and Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, Hershey. In 1982, Our Lady of Guadalupe became a mission of Holy Spirit Church, North Platte. He served as a Mr. Fix-It-man in a Honduras Mission with the late Fr. John Cook and also the Christian Appalachian Project where he worked as a carpenter and assistant pastor for six months twice. The Christian Appalachian Project, incorporated in 1964, is an outreach program to the people in Louisa, KY. Fr. Bauer retired on September 17, 1990. He enjoyed fishing, snow and water skiing, served as a volunteer EMT and fireman at several of his parish communities. He was a member of St. Marys Cathedral. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Vince, Bernard, Laurence, Andy, Rich, sisters, Margaret Connelly, Rose Marie Bernt, and an infant sister Patricia. You are welcome to sign Fr. Bauers guest book at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under his obituary.