Thomas Earl Bauernfeind, age 87, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2026. He was born on March 10, 1939, to Fred and Caroline (nee: Behr) Bauernfeind.

Tom was united in marriage to Ann Marie Bauernfeind on June 9, 1970. Together they shared more than 50 years of marriage and built a partnership that grew stronger with each passing year. Tom spent most of his life in the childhood home where he was raised, dedicating countless hours to improving and maintaining it. Some of his most cherished memories were made while hosting family picnics, bringing together generations of loved ones to share meals, laughter, and lasting traditions. Tom was educated in local schools and later joined the United States Air Force, where he developed valuable electrical engineering skills that would serve him throughout his life. When he returned, he moved to Wisconsin Rapids and started Toms Pizza Shop. Eventually he moved back to Kenosha and worked at Daimler Chrysler as a supervisor until retirement. In 1969, he founded Bauernfeind Apartments and began working as a landlord and property manager. Here he began his snow plowing business, Tom The Snowman. Throughout his career, he was known for treating his tenants with kindness and understanding, especially during difficult times. A skilled handyman, he performed much of the maintenance work himself and remained actively involved until the very end. Tom was a natural inventor who always found creative ways to solve problems and make things work. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone. Every errand became an opportunity to make new friends and share a story. Whether you ran into him at the park, the grocery store, or his favorite place, Menards, Tom had a way of making you feel like an old friend within minutes.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Ann Marie Bauernfeind; his sons, Richard (Jeanie) Bauernfeind, Randy Bauernfeind, Lonnie Ruge (1st wife), and Harold Siegmann; his daughter, Mary Bauernfeind; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as other relatives and cherished friends.

Tom's warmth, generosity, ingenuity, and gift for connecting with people will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he cultivated, and the countless lives he touched through his kindness, conversation, and willingness to help others.

Services celebrating Tom’s life will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, November 6, 2026 at 11:00AM. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Friday from 10:00AM until the time of service. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Highway 32 in Racine.