Obituary of Lorraine Bauman

DOB 06/24/1936 DOD 03/11/2026 Written and provided by family. Lorraine (Van de Water) Bauman was born on June 24, 1936.  She died peacefully at her home in Connell, Washington on March 4, 2026, and is now in the presence of Jesus, her Lord and Savior. Lorraine was raised by her parents Boyce and Alida on their farm in the Big Bend area near Adrian, Oregon, with her older siblings Bill and Loretta.  At the age of 16, she graduated from Adrian High School and then traveled by train to attend Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. There, she enjoyed playing the piano for a radio program and serving in children’s ministry.  After two years, she transferred to Seattle Pacific University to complete her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.  Lorraine then began her elementary teaching career in Weston, OR. Lorraine met the love of her life, Larry Bauman, at Roswell Baptist Church in 1952. They began dating and married seven years later.  They treasured their sixty-six years of marriage leaving a beautiful legacy of love and faith. Larry and Lorraine established their home in Nyssa, Oregon and were blessed with three children - Kerrick, Mark and Rebecca. Lorraine taught in the Nyssa School District as an elementary school teacher while Larry continued his work at Bauman Farm Equipment, later establishing an auto parts store.  During this time, Larry and Lorraine helped start the Nyssa Conservative Baptist Church. In 1978, the Bauman family moved from Nyssa to Connell, Washington, where Larry worked for his brother-in-law Keith Herrman on their farm.  Lorraine completed her master’s degree in education as they put down roots in Connell.  Lorraine began teaching in 1980 at Connell Elementary, later teaching at Mesa Elementary until her retirement.  Larry often says it was Lorraine’s work as a schoolteacher that helped establish L & L Farms and enabled it to thrive.  Lorraine also served as their farm and personal bookkeeper for many years. Lorraine faithfully served in church ministry at Connell First Baptist for over forty years as a Sunday School teacher, children’s Bible club (AWANA and VBS) leader, church pianist, organist and choir. Lorraine’s hobbies were scrapbooking, golfing, gardening and reading.  Her thoughtful kindness was appreciated by her children and grandchildren, many students and co-workers, and the children and youth she mentored. Lorraine loved traveling and enjoyed special trips with Larry to various National Onion Association events.  While most of these trips were at locations in the United States, Larry and Lorraine also traveled to Spain, England, the Netherlands, and South Africa. During their 2012 trip to South Africa, they traveled with close friends to Cape Town to visit missionaries they had supported for many years.  While there, they visited Good Hope Christian School where Lorraine fell in love with the ministry, teachers and children.  Lorraine’s love of missions and teaching children culminated in this trip. Other memorable trips were with her sister Loretta to Italy in 2001, and many other cruises and trips with family and friends. Lorraine joined the Connell P.E.O. Chapter in 1989.  She enjoyed serving as the Chair of the Educational Projects committee.  She also served faithfully with the STAR Scholarship and Emergency Assistance Fund.  She remained an active part of Connell P.E.O. for over thirty years.   The family would like to thank Shirley Clayfield for providing care and friendship to Lorraine during the past five years. Special appreciation is also given to Solutions In- Home Care providers who respectfully cared for “Lorrie” until her last breath, and to Tri- City Chaplaincy.  Larry describes his loving care and unconditional love to his beloved wife as a “privilege” during her final years of life. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents and brother Bill Van de Water of Adrian, Oregon, and sister Loretta Reed of Eagle, Idaho. Lorraine is survived by her husband Larry, son Kerrick (Joy) Bauman of Connell, WA, son Mark (Anne-Marie) Bauman of College Place, WA, and daughter Rebecca (Larry) Sandoval of Casper, WY.  She is also survived by her beloved granddaughters Katelyn (Sam) Twede, Susanna Bauman, Bethany Bauman, and Allison Sandoval, and grandsons Kyle Bauman, Hans Bauman, and Paul (Olivia) Bauman.  She is also survived by many other relatives and friends. A Memorial Service will be held on March 20, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Connell First Baptist Church, 664 N Columbia, Connell, WA 99326. In honor of Lorraine’s memory, a donation may be made on her behalf to Good Hope Christian School (ABWE) of Cape Town, South Africa c/o Connell First Baptist Church, PO Box 68, Connell, WA 99326, or to the Washington State Chapter P.E.O, WSC Emergency Assistance Fund, c/o WSC Executive Assistant, 18222 NE 28th Street, Redmond, WA 98052.