Dallas Bauer

Dallas P. Bauer, 88 of Las Cruces, New Mexico passed away Monday, November 10, 2025, at Mesilla Valley Hospice.

Dallas’ family will host a Celebration of Life from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Monday, April 13, 2026 at The Handlebar, 17 Dewitt Street in LuVerne, Iowa.

Dallas, son of Peter C. Bauer and Elma Fern Robson, was born on July 16, 1937, in Carroll, Iowa. Dallas grew up in the Pocahontas, Iowa area and graduated from Ware High School in 1955.

After high school, Dallas entered the army and was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He was a parachutist in the 101st Airborne Division from 1955-1960. He married Sharon (Luft) Bauer on July 16, 1957. They raised 6 children while farming in northern Iowa. They later divorced. Dallas worked in road construction in El Paso, Texas and later became a construction contractor in La Mesa, New Mexico. He married Joyce Carver in 1988. They resided in La Mesa until her death in 2013. He later met & married Joy Cottingim in 2015, and they made their home in Las Cruces. They were deeply devoted to each other, and Joy always called him her “wonderful Dallas.”

Dallas had a passion for flying, farming, working hard, and living life to the fullest. He was a very caring person and loved helping others. He saw a friend in everyone and never met a stranger. In his later years, he enjoyed playing Scrabble and Chicken Foot, sitting in the sunshine on his patio, and, of course, watching FOX News.

Dallas is survived by his wife Joy, his children: Howard Bauer (Judy Aldridge) of Belmond, Iowa; Retha (Dennis) Gould of Newcastle, Nebraska; Bret (Kelley) Bauer of Sheffield, Iowa; and Krista (Greg) Rogahn of Clarence, Iowa; stepsons Richard Carver of New Mexico and Jason (Olivia) Carver of Tennessee, Austin (Julie) Cottingim of El Paso, TX; and stepdaughter Jamie (Grant) Gardner of Denver, Colorado; 17 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, six siblings, two daughters: Dawn and Jinger, and two grandchildren: Gabriel and Abigail.

Dallas left quite a legacy! He was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.