Kenneth Vern "Ken" Bauer, age 74, of Washington, Iowa, died Friday, February 14, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2014, at the Faith Baptist Church in Washington with Pastor Harald Gruber officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Monday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Monday evening. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Memorials have been established for the Faith Baptist Church or the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences may be sent for Ken's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Ken was born September 5, 1939, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Clark Merle and Dorothy Elizabeth (Rinner) Bauer. He attended school in West Chester and graduated from West Chester High School. Ken was united in marriage to Connie Sue Crile on September 3, 1961 at the West Chester Methodist Church in West Chester, Iowa.

Ken worked for the Washington Police Department from 1962 until 1967. He then worked six years at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. He went back to the Washington Police Department and was appointed Police Chief on December 1, 1974. He held this position until 1982. Ken worked for the Washington Community School District for 17 years until his retirement in 2002.

He was a member of Faith Baptist Church and was a longtime member of the Washington Golf and Country Club. Ken enjoyed attending coffee club at the Coffee Corner, playing pool at the U.P. Home, golfing, hunting and watching sports on TV. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. Ken loved spending time with his family and cherished the time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Connie Bauer of Washington, Iowa; son, Todd Bauer and friend Wende Allender of Grandview, Iowa; daughter, Michelle Langton and husband Bill of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; daughter, Marsha Wagenknecht and husband Jim of Washington, Iowa; five grandchildren: Jacob Bauer and wife Camarie, Rachel Langton, Andrew Langton, Zach Wagenknecht and significant other Katrina Christofferson and Devin Wagenknecht; three great-grandchildren: Jade Bauer, Kadie Bauer and Addison Wagenknecht. Ken is also survived by his brother, Gene Bauer and wife Jerene of San Diego, California; sister, Joy Gillaspie and husband Robert of Fairfield, Iowa; and brother Stanley Bauer and wife Connie Ann of Washington, Iowa.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents.