Gail Ruth Bauer, of Chelsea, MI, age 80, died Saturday, March 14, 2020. She was born Gail Ruth Provance on April 25, 1939 in Clarkton, Missouri, the daughter of Elson and Edna (Dunscomb) Provance.
Gail moved to Michigan after graduating from high school, and had several jobs before she joined the Chelsea State Bank in 1968 as a bookkeeper. She was placed in charge of the bookkeeping department in 1975 and was appointed Assistant Vice President and Auditor in 1986. In 1994 she was promoted to Vice President, and she retired in 2000 after a total of 32 years of service.
Gail was an active community member and served on a number of boards and projects, including the Chelsea District Library Capital Campaign Committee.
Gail was a PEO, Daughter of the American Revolution, and a member of the Ann Arbor Women’s City Club. She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, where she served as President of the Church Council. Gail was an avid supporter of Chelsea athletics and promoted the arts in the area. She was a founding member of Chelsea Area Players and of the Purple Rose Theatre Company, where she held the position of Vice President of the Executive Board for many years. Since retirement, Gail spent as many hours as possible at the bridge table in multiple groups in Chelsea and Ann Arbor.
On May 18, 1957, she married Norman Bauer in Chelsea. He preceded her in death on January 17, 2013.
Survivors include two sons, Dennis (Susan) of Chelsea, Bartley (Alisa) of Chelsea, a daughter, Gayla (Tor) Bauer Blaisdell of Ellensburg, WA; also surviving are sister-in-law, Jayne Bauer, two brothers-in-law, Robert (Mary) Bauer and Donald (Leila) Bauer, a sister-in-law, Barbara (Charley) Fredette, a brother, W.F. “Buck” (Liz) Provance, and two sisters, Barbara “Bobby” (Bob) Tallarico and Margaret (Jerry) McFarland.
Gail was “Grammy” to seven grandchildren: Darl (Carly) Bauer, Cal (Amber) Bauer, Adam Bauer, Devyn Bauer, Nathan Bauer, Tristan Blaisdell and Lydia Blaisdell; and two great-grandchildren, Gigi Kay Bauer and Boone Cavanaugh Bauer (children of Darl and Carly). She was a special aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Gail was preceded in death by sister, Betty Ann King, and brothers-in-law, Bob King and Walt Bauer.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul United Church of Christ on a future date.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ or the Purple Rose Theatre Company, noting in the memo section: In Honor of Gail R. Bauer. Donations may be mailed to Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, 901 North Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118.
