Janet Marie Bauer, 88, of Elk Mound, died peacefully in her home, Saturday, February 21, 2026, surrounded by her family. Janet was born July 2, 1937, in Chippewa Falls, WI, to Austin and Ann (Pozarski) Shilts. Janet graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1955.

Janet married William J. Bauer, Jr. on January 21, 1956. They were married 59 years. Janet was a homemaker and later worked as a card revision specialist for American Greetings. She was a longstanding member of the Sunny Valley 4-H Club where she received multiple awards for her leadership, was a participant of the local St. Mary's Circle Church Group at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elk Mound and was a member of the neighborhood Sunshine Sewing Club.

Janet is survived by her three children, Elizabeth Robert of Fall Creek, WI, Christopher (Cheryl) Bauer of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Jayne (Michael) Desorcie of Rochester, MN; six grandchildren, Kristin (Joshua) Andro, Kirk Robert, Jr., Blake Robert, Briana Bauer, Benjamin (Hailey) Bauer, Andrew (Batia Gordon) Desorcie; three great-grandchildren, Sebastian, Jamison, and Westin; in laws, Jerome (Sharon) Bauer, Margaret Colbenson, Julie Orr, Janet Shilts and Judy Bauer; plus several nieces and nephews.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband, her parents; three sons, Anthony, Terry, and Benjamin, two brothers Roger Shilts and Thomas Shilts and one sister, Shirley Kleist.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 413 W. Menomonie St., Elk Mound, WI, with Father Timothy Welles officiating. Visitation will be at 9:30am up until the Mass at the church. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Eau Claire, WI at a later date.

We would like to extend a special acknowledgement and thank you to the St. Croix Hospice team for their compassion and exceptional loving care for Janet and family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to a Catholic charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.