Madonna M. Bahr

Madonna Mae (Elsen) (Leis) Bahr, 82, of St. Joseph’s Ridge, died peacefully Friday September 16, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She was born the first of eight children to Peter and Leona (Bushek) Elsen. She was born on the Feast of Saint Joseph on March 19, 1940. Madonna was raised on the family farm and attended Saint Peter’s Catholic School through eighth grade. She graduated from Bangor High School.

Madonna married Duane Leis in 1962 at St. Peter’s in Middle Ridge and they were blessed with seven children. In 1976 Madonna became caretaker of her husband when he became ill, raising her children while working full time at the Villa Saint Joseph. She continued to be his caretaker until his death in 1982.

Madonna married Alfred Bahr in 1987 and they moved to St. Joseph's Ridge. Madonna “retired” after 31 years at the Villa. She was always serving her spouse, children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends. She was active in serving her parish, Saint Joseph Catholic Church, as an extraordinary minister of communion, choir member, funeral committee, prayer chain and cleaning the church and school for many years.

Madonna had a beautiful devotion to Our Lady and prayed the Rosary daily. She loved making and repairing Rosaries. Madonna gifted each of her children and grandchildren a Rosary she made. She was always quick to offer to pray for any intention.

Madonna is survived by her children, Denise, Mick (Monica), Tim (Deb), Bonnie, Dave (Kathy), Connie (Michael) DeGrave, and Kathy; grandchildren, Margaret, Mayanna, Duane (Abigail), Michael, Payton, Dana, Zachary, Timothy, Meaghan, Liberty, Alexander, Matthew, and Jesse; a great grandchild, Thomas; siblings, Peter (Barbara), Tom (Diane), Gary, Mary, Clara Ann, Gus (Brenda), Doug (Diane); a brother-in-law, Steve (Donna) and sisters-in-law, Karen, Linda, and Judy (Charles) Von Ruden and many extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Duane Leis and his parents Mathias and Helen Leis; her husband, Alfred Bahr, her granddaughter Maria Madonna, her brothers-in-law, Ray Sedevie, Donald, Laverne (Beth) and Robert (Gloria) Leis and a sister-in-law, Laura Leis.

The family would like to thank her caretaker, Jenny Whitman who provided Madonna companionship and love until her peaceful passing and the Mayo Hospice team especially her nurse, Matt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday September 24, 2022 at St Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph’s Ridge. Father Biju will officiate with burial in St. Peter’s Middle Ridge Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 4:30 to 7:30 with a rosary service at 4 p.m. and also on Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family. Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com.