Ivan Eugene "Bob" Bausch, 83, passed away December 5, 2011, Holton Community Hospital, Holton, KS. Ivan, the second son of Jacob George and Maude Seely Bausch, was born April 22, l928 on a farm three miles west of Hoyt, KS. Ivan was named after his mother's brother but it was his father's wish to call him "Bob" after the family doctor who delivered him. Ivan was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Edward. Surviving members of his family include his wife Barbara Jean; their children, Jacob Joe, Mayetta, Jolene Marie (John) Huff, Canton, Regina Rae (Steve) Goodman, Meriden; a sister, Patricia Ann (Bernard) Schwermann, Topeka, sister-in-law, Dorothy Bausch, Hoyt; seven grandchildren, Michael (Jacobee) Higley, Tecumseh, Heidi (Greg) Young, Topeka, Tara (Scott) Harding, Eskridge, Steven Goodman, Kansas City, MO, Brandon Cook, Salina, Katie and Jayme Bausch, Mayetta; three great grandsons, Cyrus and Xander Harding, Eskridge and Rylan Young, Topeka; nieces, nephews and other relatives. Ivan was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Mayetta, KS and past member of the Immaculate Conception of Mary Catholic Church, Valley Falls, KS. Ivan walked a mile to Sunny Brook, a one room country school, located on his father's farm. Orville Walker was his teacher all eight years. He graduated from Mayetta High School in l946. On his father's farm that same year, riding horseback while performing a square dance with the Sunny Brook Rustlers Square Dance Team, he met another rider, Barbara Meats. She became his life-long soul mate for over 62 years. On May 2, l949, the Rev. F. G. Glowaki, officiated the marriage of Ivan Bausch and Barbara Meats, at St. Dominic Church, Holton, KS. They established their first home on a farm near Mayetta, KS. During the Korean Conflict in July 1953, Ivan was inducted into 5th Armored Infantry and served two years with the Army at White Sands Proving Ground, NM as a heavy equipment operator. Returning home from the Army they purchased a farm along the Delaware River, near Valley Falls, KS where they lived 15 years; farming and raising their three children. The United States Corp of Engineers condemned and purchased their farm in l969, for the building of the Perry Conservation Dam and Reservoir. Ivan purchased and moved his family onto his father's farm near Mayetta, KS and remained there the rest of his life. Ivan loved the earth and his farm. He was a progressive stockman, farmer and heavy equipment operator. He built many terraces and ponds in Jefferson and Jackson Counties. He was a Charter Member of the National Farmers Organization and served as chairman of the Jefferson County Chapter. It was his firm belief that farmers should have a decision in receiving a fair return for the goods and services that they produced. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #44, Holton, KS. Ivan was a loving, devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a true friend to anyone that knew him and will be remembered by his big blue eyes and ready smile. He will be missed. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday December 9, 2011 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mayetta with the Rev. Christopher Rossman, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery north of Hoyt, KS. Mr. Bausch will lie in state beginning Tuesday. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mercer Funeral Home, then family will greet friends at 7:00 p.m.