HELENA – Maxine Rose Bauer passed away on December 11, 2022, at the age of 95, about 24 hours after coming down with the flu. She was born on April 19, 1927, in Lewistown, Mt. Maxine was raised on the Lang farm a mile south of Kolin, Mt. She went to school In Kolin, after doing her morning chores then walking or riding bareback on one of the family horses to school. Maxine excelled in school in the classroom and played girls basketball for Fergus High School graduating in 1945. In 1946 she moved to Helena where she worked for the State of Montana. She married Howard Stahler on May 1947 and was let go by the state of Montana as it was their policy that a married woman could not work for the state. Howard and Maxine built their home in Helena using hand tools and a mule and Frisco to dig the basement. They had two children, Ed and Karen. In the 50’s, Maxine and Howard started Stahler Picket Co to provide an income during the labor strikes at the ACM Zinc Plant in East Helena, where Howard worked for many years. Maxine was the bookkeeper and saleswoman for the family business working late into the night. Daytime saw her helping Howard operate a sawmill, lath mill and post plant making lumber, lath, posts and poles, pickets and mine wedges. In her spare time, she was a Boy Scout and a Girl Scout Leader, active in Lincoln School PTA and a member of Assembly of God church. She was an accomplished musician playing the piano, organ and pipe organ. Mom was a hard worker all her life and never backed away from a challenge.
Howard died of a heart attack in 1970. Maxine worked at the US Forest Service until 1975 where she met and later married Clarence Bauer. After the marriage, she moved to Missoula and lived there until 2022. Clarence passed away in 1983. Maxine volunteered at Missoula Community Hospital for 29 years where she made many friends. Mom loved to travel and see the world. She traveled extensively in the United States going to all 50 states, bringing home a souvenir plate from each state. She traveled to over 50 countries around the world. Including Africa, Canada, China, England, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, Norway, Russia and many other countries. Israel was her favorite as she went there with her brother and sister-in-law several times. She used her travels to visit countries her ancestors emigrated from and later wrote a book about the Lang and Steiger families.
In order to be closer to her children, Maxine moved to Touchmark assisted living apartment in Helena in May 2022. Karen and Maxine were able to do some traveling in the area during this past summer as well as having lunch almost every day.
She was preceded in death by her parents Robert Sr and Rose Lang, brothers Robert Jr and Harold Lang, sisters-in-law Lois, Jackie and Vereen Lang and son-in law Steve Miser. Also passed are Martha, Don and Linda Bauer. Survivors include sister-in-law Ellen Lang, children, Ed (Pat) and Karen Miser. 3 grandchildren to include Amber (Carlos) Garcia, Mike Stahler and Bobby Miser. Also, two great grandchildren Kelsey Stahler Garcia and Maxine Miser. Maxine is also survived by Chris Bauer, Jim (Rae) Bauer, Kathy (John) Timmons, 6 children and 12 grandchildren.
At Maxine’s request, graveside services will be held at Forestdale Cemetery in Helena, Mt on December 21st at 11AM. Her family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to their favorite charity in her name. Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.aswfuneralhome.com
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday December 28, 2022
Forestvale Cemetery
490 Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday December 28, 2022
Forestvale Cemetery
490 Forestvale Road
Helena, Montana 59602
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Maria Phillips says
My sincerest condolences to the family of Maxine. Maxine was a wonderful person and an absolute selfless bright light for all who were fortunate enough to know her.
In loving memory of Maxine.
Kind regards,
Maria Phillips
Debbie Tran says
Maxine was an amazing woman. She had a special way of really listening and sharing her life stories. I am honored to know her. She spoke of her family with such love. God blessed her with a long and beautiful life. We will miss her. Prayers of peace to your family in this time of loss of her presence.
Sincerely and God bless.
Debbie Tran
Ellen Carey says
Sending my heart felt condolences to Maxine’s family. Maxine volunteered for the Education Department at Community Medical Center, starting in the mid 1990’s when I was the department director. She quickly made herself a very vital member of our team. Maxine was reliable, versatile, extremely accurate, and enthusiastic. She was a behind the scenes workhorse and a front line public greeter – always with a smile. . We don’t know what we would have done without her. We all enjoyed hearing about her travels. Those of us with young children and full time jobs lived vicariously through her travel adventures. The world benefited from her presence. Maxine, may this last journey surpass them all.
With love, Ellen Carey