For Alban’s 80th birthday his daughter bought him a cherry tree. He asked her “Why did you buy that for me? I will never live long enough to see cherries from that tree.” Then, he picked some cherries off that same tree took them in the house and said “Mama will you make me a pie?”
Alban was blessed with a long life. He was born May 24, 1926 in a house in Toto Indiana. He took that long life and raised 5 children, Bryan Bau, Annette (Robert) Warkentien, Dawn (John) Wallen, Nina Bau, Michele (Frank) Lonigro, 7 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his wife Kathryn (Hickman) Bau, two of his grandchildren Tina Bau and Justin Haluck.
He spent over 65 years loving his wife Kathryn, picking her wild flowers and taking them in the house to her. He shrugged his shoulders when she said, “Stop dragging in all those weeds.” He sang her Love me Tender during their 50th wedding anniversary celebration while she hid her face.
He was a hard-working man who lost his arm in a corn picker but continued to diligently work on the farm to support his family. He was 91 when he first uttered the words “I’m too old to farm.” He didn’t drink. He didn’t smoke. He didn’t go out at night. He was also extremely stubborn and had a temper, but no one is perfect.
He spent all of his days bragging to everyone what a great cook Mama was while he ate his cherry pie.
Visitation will be after 10 AM CT Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the O’Donnell Funeral Home, Inc. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 12 Noon CT Saturday, June 4, 2022 at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, North Judson, Indiana. Burial will be in the St. Jacob Cemetery.
