Lela Mae Bachman, 98, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away September 9, 2025 at her home. Lela was born January 3, 1927 in Santa Monica, California, to Floyd and Bernice (Heschong) Wilson.
Lela met August "Auggie" Bachman - the love of her life - in a stairwell he was painting at the Goetz Brewery while she was employed as a switchboard operator. They married on October 29, 1954, in St. Joseph, and spent the next 65 years together raising a family, modeling love, kindness, hard work and joy - so much joy just being together with family and friends! They loved to travel on tours and mystery trips, or to visit family in the U.S. and in Canada.
A member for 71 years, Lela was active in the credit union movement and she worked at the Goetz Credit Union for many years. After retirement she continued as an officer on the board of directors. Lela was "the heart of Goetz Credit Union."
She and Auggie were members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where Lela served on the Altar Society.
Survivors include two daughters, Karen (George) Wilbur, Granby, Connecticut, and Terri (Rick) Rader, St. Joseph; son-in-law, Chris Wildhagen, St. Joseph; grandchildren, Sheri (David Greig) Wildhagen, Jen (Riley Caton) Wildhagen, David (Maari) Wilbur, and Lindsay McCush; great-grandchildren, Olivia Wildhagen-Piercy, Keegan and Sean McCush, August and Arne Greig-Wildhagen; extended family members & dear friends.
Lela was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Linda Wildhagen; and husband, Auggie.
Graveside Farewell Services and Interment 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, Memorial Park Cemetery. The procession will leave from Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial contributions to Mosaic Life Care Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice.
