Ralph I. Bauman, 88, passed away Monday, January 22, 2024 at his home surrounded by his wife and three daughters.
He was born to Joseph and Iva (Crider) Bauman on May, 20, 1935 at the family home South of Abilene. He attended Lively Hall Rural School until the 8th grade and graduated from Abilene High School in 1953. He attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Ks for one year.
Ralph worked for four years at Rock Springs 4-H Summer Camp. He began working for Shockey & Landis in 1955 where he learned to install floor covering. On February 2, 1958 he married Mary Dawn Mason. In 1960, Ralph began installing on his own and in 1966 he opened a floor covering store in the garage of their home on North Buckeye. They bought a building in downtown Abilene in 1976. They continued selling and installing floor covering until they retired and sold the store in 2004.
Ralph served in the Army Reserves from 1957 to 1963.All sports were an important part of Ralph’s life. He played town team basketball, fast pitch and slow pitch softball, coached girls’ softball, bowled, pitched horseshoes, played pool, snow skied, ran and played golf.
He was a member of the First Christian Church where he taught Sunday School, was an Elder and worked with the Junior High youth group for a number of years. Ralph enjoyed traveling, dancing, playing cards and watching sports on TV.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepfather Frank Heller.He is survived by his wife of 65 years. Three daughters: LeAnne (Dan) Litka, Abilene, KS, Jan (Jeff) Hubert, Antioch, IL and Karen Dillard, Overland Park, KS. Seven grandchildren: Kristin Kijowski, Center Town, MO, Nicholas Kijowski, Thorton, CO, Adam Kijowski & Nathan Litka, Kansas City, KS. Erica Dillard, Carlsbad, NM. Jackson Hubert, Vernon Hills, IL and Carson Hubert, Gurnee, IL. Also by his sister Shirley (Robert) Emig, brother Jon (Judy) Bauman, and sister-in-law Linda (Joe) Mason Reynolds, Abilene, Kansas. And many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Cremation was chosen. Visitation will be held at the First Christian Church, 612 N Buckeye 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024. The Memorial Service will be held at the Church on Friday, January 26, 2024 at 11:00 am.
Suggested Memorials to Hospice of Dickinson County or the First Christian Church and may be sent in care of the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd, Abilene, Kansas 6741.