Marilyn and Jared Bauch, the 2026 Winding Stairs Festival Parade grand marshals, pictured this past June at their home in Traer. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TRAER – Longtime stewards of the community, Jared and Marilyn Bauch, have been named parade grand marshals of Traer’s 2026 Winding Stairs Festival.

“They have been so active in the community and with the school,” festival committee member Leigh Sell told the newspaper earlier this summer after the Bauchs were surprised with the news. “Most recently, they have been busy with North Tama Dollars for Scholars, which raises money from donors for scholarships given to North Tama seniors.”

Meet the Bauchs

Jared, a Tama County native, was born in Gladbrook and graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1959. He went on to attend the University of Iowa, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1963 before graduating from the College of Law in 1965. He then joined the Navy, serving as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer from 1965 to 1968. During that time, he spent one year in Vietnam, serving with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. After Vietnam, he returned home to Iowa to practice law, moving to Traer and serving as Tama County Attorney for a decade beginning in January 1970. He married Marilyn Plattenberger the following July. Jared later went into private practice with his older brother, the late Jack Bauch, at Bauch Law Office from 1969 to 2015.

Marilyn was born in Martelle (Jones County) and “proudly grew up on a farm” before graduating from Mt. Vernon High School in 1965. Like her future husband, she attended the University of Iowa, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education in August 1968. In 1981, she earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Northern Iowa. Marilyn taught special ed at both College Community and South Tama before opening Traer’s Pied Piper Preschool in her basement in 1972. In 1982, she donated Pied Piper to the community, serving on its board of directors for several years. “Pied Piper Preschool and Childcare continues to thrive and serve families in our community today,” Marilyn told the newspaper. From 1979 until her retirement in 2003, she worked for Area Education Agency 7 (now part of Central Rivers AEA) as an educational strategist, special ed consultant and autism team member.

“Along the way, we raised Jim, Laura, Aaron, and Andrew, the best kids ever!” Marilyn said, before adding, “Now we have the best grandchildren, too.”

Community service at its finest

Being chosen as this year’s Winding Stairs Festival parade grand marshals has much to do with the Bauchs’ community service, which is extensive.

Through the years, Jared has served the Traer Chamber of Commerce, North Tama Medical Associates, Traer United Methodist Church, Traer Historical Museum, Traer Trees Forever, and North Tama Dollars for Scholars.

Helping to bring medical services back to Traer certainly counts as one of his biggest contributions to the community. In 1974, he helped create North Tama Medical Associates, Inc. alongside Rex McKee, Mike Reuman, Dr. Robert Ketter, and Cecilia Podhajsky. The nonprofit corporation’s work included construction of the downtown clinic building on the corner of Second and Walnut streets and the recruitment of two physicians in 1975. Earlier this year, the group successfully brought Peoples Community Health Clinic to Traer following the closure in late 2025 of MercyOne Traer Family Medicine.

In 1976, Jared began planting trees in and around Traer. More than 2,000 trees have been planted to date thanks to his efforts which have garnered assistance from many likeminded volunteers.

In 1990, the Bauchs along with Dick and MaryLou Dahms and Rodger and Jane Knoop brought to fruition the long-hoped-for Traer Historical Museum, which continues to thrive today.

In addition to founding Pied Piper Preschool and then transitioning it to community-owned childcare, Marilyn has served the Traer United Methodist Church, Traer Historical Museum, Tama County Foster Care Review Board, and the American Councils for International Education. Along with her husband, she is the founder of North Tama Dollars for Scholars.

Following her retirement in 2003, Marilyn began volunteering with children with autism and other special needs in Dmitrov, Russia, while also coordinating exchange students with American Councils for International Education. She has traveled to Russia 19 times, working with teachers, speech therapists, and parents to help special needs children develop communication and behavioral skills.

In 2019, the Bauchs brought together a board of directors and created North Tama Dollars for Scholars, an affiliate of Scholarship America, to provide scholarships for North Tama graduates. The original board of directors included Steve and Rosanne Foster, Keith and Trish Kennedy, Teresa Keefe O’Meara, Rex and Phyllis McKee, and the Bauchs. The group met every Sunday afternoon for two to three hours to work through the extensive paperwork to become an affiliate chapter. To date, the project has benefited 130 students by providing $257,500 in scholarship assistance with the support of the North Tama community, staff, and alumni.

“Every time I do some exciting work I say, ‘This has been one of the most rewarding things I have worked on in my life,'” Marilyn told the newspaper. “That applies to all of the above!”

Why Traer?

After spending most of their adult lives in Traer, the Bauchs were asked to describe the community to those unfamiliar with the small town famous for its winding stairs.

“This is hard,” Marilyn first responded. “There are a lot of fine small towns, but Traer is really special.

“Traer is a town that welcomes new people, ideas and projects. People come together to support good ideas with their money and their volunteer work. When we needed a new library, look what we did! We even get free vegetables at the library in the summer! When we needed a new pool, look what we did!”

“Over the years, (the community) improved Dennis Field, created the (North Tama) Athletic Complex, and, more recently, bit the bullet and passed the bond issue for the new school facilities. Now we are renovating Taylor Park.”

“For a long time we have had first-rate volunteer ambulance and fire department services. If you’ve had the ambulance or fire department come to your house – and we have – you know they save us, literally! The churches came together to create CHAT and the food pantry. Our downtown businesses provide more services than are generally found in a town this size. Donations of money and volunteer work make our nice little theater possible. And the Pizza Palace is open again!”

“Together we all make Traer the special place it is. (We) are so glad we landed here. Come, buy a house and join us in this special town!”

Grand Parade

During this year’s Winding Stairs Festival Grand Parade, Jared and Marilyn will be featured together as the grand marshals. The parade takes place Saturday, Aug. 8, beginning at 4 p.m. Lineup begins at 3:30 p.m. on Seventh Street.

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S, to the Bauchs! Traer is extremely lucky you wound up here all those years ago. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and countless contributions to not only Traer, but communities throughout northern Tama County (and beyond!).