Arlan Lee Bauer, age 79, left this earth peacefully with his wife and daughter at his side on February 25, 2026. Born on May 12, 1946, in Humboldt, Nebraska, Arlan entered the world with his twin brother, Harlan Dee Bauer, to Roy and Stella (Krenzel) Bauer. He attended school in surrounding areas of Hiawatha and graduated from Powhattan High School in 1964.
Arlan’s other siblings included Donald (Lamonia), John (Leona), Harold (Carol), Darrell (Sara), Darlene Covert, and Esther (Virgil) Koerperich.
After graduation, Arlan became a member of the Army National Guard in Hiawatha, KS. He was trained as a Medical Corpsman and was stationed in Colorado Springs, CO. He was discharged in 1971 and returned to Kansas and began work at Goodyear Auto Service in Wichita.
Arlan married Marianne (Malcher) Thompson in 1970. This marriage brought Marianne’s children, Thomas, Carol, and Peggy into his life. Together, Arlan and Marianne had a daughter, Dallas Faith Bauer. The family moved to Burden, KS when he became store manager of Goodyear Auto Service in Winfield. Arlan and Marianne purchased the 160 Cafe in Burden which they ran for twenty years. Arlan also started Arlan’s Kennels where he raised, trained, and sold racing greyhounds with his daughter, Dallas, at his side.
Arlan became an officer at Winfield Pre-Release Center when it opened in 1984. Later as a sergeant, he served as the Activities Director. He retired from the Kansas Department of Corrections in 1994.
Arlan married Debra (Defore) Biddle on February 26, 1998. Through this marriage he gained a son and two daughters, Scott, Angela, and Lynndy Biddle. Arlan and Debbie made their home in Wichita, KS. Together, Arlan and Debra enjoyed attending events of grandchildren, watching the St. Louis Cardinals on TV and in person, taking in country music concerts, visiting Las Vegas, growing tomatoes, and spoiling their fur babies.
During his retirement, Arlan worked for the Wichita Eagle and Beacon, and later became a contract delivery driver for Henry Industries.
Arlan, a recovering alcoholic, gained his sobriety in 1984. During his 42 years of sobriety, he helped others through the Twelve Steps for recovery. He remained active in Alcoholics Anonymous throughout the years, serving various roles in his home group. He particularly looked forward to Wichita Area Citywide’s monthly potluck dinner and guest speaker meeting, because it was an open meeting which meant his wife and daughter could join him.
Arlan had a strong personal relationship with God. He often said that if you hand your worries over to God and you were still worried, you hadn’t yet handed them over. He did not know a stranger and will be remembered for his sense of humor and giving heart. He was proud of his potato patch and took great pride in passing out Debra’s homemade salsa and peanut brittle. But most of all…he enjoyed time with his family, both immediate and extended. He was the master of making lifelong memories with them.
Arlan was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Angela Biddle, four brothers, Donald, John, Harold, and Harlan, and two sisters, Darlene Covert and Ester Koerperich.
Survivors include his wife, Debra; daughter, Dallas Bauer of Overland Park, KS; grandson, Malik Bauer of New York, NY, son Scott Biddle and his wife Jennifer of Winfield, KS, and daughter Lynndy Ratliff and her husband Jon of Clay Center, KS.
Arlan also leaves behind grandchildren and great grandchildren, Megan Beeson and her daughter Eliana of Winfield, Brittany Girton and her husband Everett and their son Rhoe of Clay Center, Ky Biddle and his wife Veronica and their children Newt and Landry of Atlanta, Kailey White and her husband Kal and their daughter Emilia of Oxford, Kasey Biddle and his wife Brooke, and their children Kohen and Walker of Delia, Brianna Hopper and her son Guerin of Great Bend, Barissa Seibolt and her husband Dustin of Gardner, Kenzee Hett and her husband Eli and their daughter Hallie of Marion, Jonathan Ahring of Hays, and Brayden Ratliff of Clay Center.
A celebration of Arlan’s life is planned for 11 am Saturday, April 18, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha, KS. Pastor Tony French will officiate the service. Visitation with Family will be at 10 am before the service. An Inurnment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Hiawatha, with military honors, courtesy of Brown County Veterans Honor Guard. Lunch and fellowship will take place at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Wichita Area Citywide (AA Group) sent in the care of Chapel Oak Funeral Home, 124 S. 7th Street, Hiawatha, KS, 66434. Friends may sign the register book the week of April 6.
