Phyllis Mae Bahr, beloved Mother and ‘Grannie’, went home to her Lord on November 8, 2024 on her 100th birthday.
She was born November 8, 1924 in Lynn Township, McLeod County, MN. She was the daughter of Harry & Mabel (Johnson) Christensen. She was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith at Vineyard Methodist Church in Hutchinson.
Phyllis graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1942 and furthered her education at the MN School of Business. After finishing her course work, she was employed for a short time in Minneapolis before returning to her hometown accepting an accounting position at Stearns Lumber Co. In 1946, she was married and lived in Winsted, MN. After divorcing in 1951, she returned to her previous job in Hutchinson.
In December 1953, she married LeRoy Bahr and in 1963, the family moved to Le Center where she was employed at First National Bank. In Oct of 1968, the family moved to West Concord where Phyllis was employed at Farmers State Bank until retiring in 1988.
Phyllis was a member of the United Methodist Church in West Concord, the UMW and Eve Circle. In her younger years, she taught Sunday School in her Hutchinson & Le Center churches. She liked working with children.
She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Le Center & West Concord. Phyllis was very patriotic and understood the price paid for our freedom. (the above was written by Phyllis)
Phyllis is survived by her four sons, Terry Bahr (Sue Tewalt) of Norwood Young America, MN, Harry Bahr of Fridley, MN, Timothy (Laura) Bahr of West Concord, MN and Thomas Bahr of Dodge Center, MN, 9 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and 2 great-great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Bahr, her sweet mother and wonderful father, her sister, Iola Henke (Hutchinson, MN) and her brother, Lyle Christensen (Mesa, AZ). She was the last remaining “Bahr” of LeRoy’s 14 siblings and their spouses.
Her family adds: It is with grateful hearts that we thank God for blessing us these many years with her gentle love. She so enjoyed the times we shared as family, laughing together and telling stories… some were actual memories, but many were ‘tall tales’ told by her boys! The laughter would ring out and love would surround us. We will miss her… and we won’t forget her caring presence in our lives.
We especially want to thank her newest friends, and family, at Rochester West & Mayo Hospice who, with great kindness, gentleness, and love, helped to make her days brighter and less confusing.
A memorial service was held at the West Concord Bell Tower Center (formerly the Methodist Church) on Friday, November 29th at 11:00 am with visitation open at 10:00 am. A luncheon followed the service at the West Concord American Legion. Interment will be at Fort Snelling at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the West Concord American Legion or the West Concord Fire Department.
