Hildegarde Bauermeister

Hildegarde Bauermeister, 93, of Ossian, Indiana passed away Wednesday evening, September 2, 2026, at Adams Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Indiana.

She was born on February 24, 1933 in Allen County, Indiana to Louis and Caroline “Lena” (Kanning) Bearman.

Hildegarde was united in marriage to Ralph Bauermeister on April 21, 1957 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Soest.

She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, where she served the Lord as secretary of Bethlehem Christian Fellowship. She was also a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

Hildegarde graduated from New Haven High School in 1951. She was employed as the Assistant Manager of the Billing Department at North American Van Lines for six years. She also volunteered her time at The Lutheran Home in Fort Wayne and at The Bargain Hut in Bluffton for twelve years. But her greatest love was being a homemaker for her family and helping Ralph on the farm.

She had her own quilting machine, and enjoyed sharing her beautiful quilts with family and friends. She donated many quilts to the students and the families at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, through their co-op. She was a lifetime Cincinnati Reds fan.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Ralph Bauermeister of Ossian, Indiana; daughter, Beth Ann (Mark) Behning of Ossian, Indiana; daughter, Kellie Sue (Greg) Woods of Greenfield, Indiana; daughter, Trudie Linn (Vince) Welch of Cicero, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Luke (Gianna) Behning, Rachel (Kyle) Chard, Bartholomew (Ashley) Woods, Chad Woods, Dillon Welch, Kelcy (Jackson) Buday, and Halle Welch; eight great-grandchildren, Harper Chard, Lillian Chard, Emmett Chard, Genna Behning, Josie Behning, Bryson Behning, Skylar Woods, Jacob Woods; and baby Buday on the way.

Hildegarde was preceded in death by her three brothers, Arthur Bearman, Howard Bearman, and Ervin “Ted” Bearman; and her three sisters, Irma Dressler, Dorothy Bearman, and Louena Scherer.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, Indiana with Pastor Samuel Wirgau officiating. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ossian.

Family and friends will be received from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service on Thursday, September, 10, 2026 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian.

Preferred memorials are to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ossian or Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne.

Arrangements are by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana.