.. age 98, went to the Church Triumphant on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at Vadavilla AFC Home in Unionville.

Orpha was born in Sebewaing on April 17, 1923 to August and Pearl (Gascho) Kurzer. She grew up on the family farm with 3 brothers and 5 sisters. She was very creative and enjoyed sharing her carpentry skills from an early age. In her teen years, she built a number of items, including: bird houses, lawn ornaments, and wood cabinets for her parent’s home. Orpha worked several jobs before she was married. She picked culls out of navy beans at a small country elevator in Bach, Michigan Sugar Company in Sebewaing, Sebewaing Industries, Dow Chemical in Bay City, and assisted Dr. Burke (dentist) in Sebewaing.

Orpha and Wilbert were married at the EUB Methodist Church in Sebewaing on April 3, 1948. They made their livelihood farming in the same area where they grew up. Orpha enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening, playing cards, and fishing with her husband. She was active at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing and their local Farm Bureau group.

Orpha is survived by her 3 children: Wayne (Kathleen) Bauer, Sandy Marxhausen, and Gary (Rhonda) Bauer; 7 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Orpha is preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert in 1994; 3 brothers; 4 sisters, son-in-law, Gary Marxhausen, and great-grandson, Dawson Kuhl.

MEMORIALS: Immanuel Lutheran Church General Fund or Music Fund.

Click here to listen to the Funeral sermon of Orpha Ruth Bauer delivered by Pastor Boyer