Last updated: 16.12.2023, 12:11 p.m.
By: Hanna von Prittwitz
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Beautifully situated and well managed for many years: the Obere Wirt zum Queri in Frieding. After the sudden death of landlord Martin Bauer, the business continues. © Photographer: Andrea Jaksch
There is bewilderment at the sudden death of Martin Bauer, landlord of the Gasthof zum Queri in Frieding. However, the stroke of fate has also triggered a wave of solidarity for the family among the innkeepers in the district. Many of them are helping with the funeral service on Monday.
Frieding – Martin Bauer turned 23 on 45 November. Nicole Bauer's husband, father of two children aged ten and twelve, was out with a friend that day, while his wife was preparing a surprise party with 170 guests at the jointly run Wirtshaus zum Queri in Frieding. However, Martin Bauer suffered a stroke out of nowhere that day, as a result of which he died on December 8 in the Klinikum rechts der Isar. Now no stone is left unturned, but the renowned economy continues to run. "I'm not one to make hasty decisions," says his wife Nicole Bauer calmly. Next Monday, a funeral service will take place in the pilgrimage church in Andechs. Afterwards, Bauer's companions come together in the Queri. Some of the innkeepers from the district are in the kitchen themselves, they help out and send their staff.
The outpouring of helpfulness "is overwhelming," says Nicole Bauer. Friends and restaurateurs have organized themselves in Whatsapp groups, offering support on every corner, bringing food to the family. The staff is at her side, albeit deeply affected. Born in Dresden, she met Martin Bauer during an internship at a small hotel on Lake Tahoe in the USA, and she is still in contact with the owners today. "We often said it was fate, this encounter in the distance," she says.
In January 2008 they took over the inn "Der Obere Wirt zum Queri" in Frieding. Martin Bauer's father, owner of a car dealership in Pöcking, which he has since handed over to his second son, bought the inn in 1995. After the extensive renovation, the meat of the Angus cattle could be offered there, which Martin Bauer bred on his farm in Drößling in suckler cow husbandry.
The trained chef and business economist also learned the butcher's trade at the Lutz butcher's shop in Pöcking. In doing so, he followed a family tradition, as Martin Bauer's grandfather was Gustl Bader from the well-known butcher's shop in Starnberg at the time.
Martin Bauer was considered reserved, but at the same time very warm and humorous. Hundreds of people have commented on the events on social media, with school friends and friends lamenting the loss of an "extremely dear and wonderful, special person and good friend". "He brought people together," says Nicole Bauer. He was connected to many guests, who became companions over the 16 years and travel from afar for the funeral service. Therefore, it will take place on Monday and not on this Saturday.
Martin Bauer loved his work and his Angus cattle, which is also shown in a film that was shown on Bavarian television in March. "The BR asked three times until he finally let himself be persuaded," says his wife. Today, she is very happy about this memory, which shows her husband surrounded by his animals on the farm in Drößling.
She would like all the people who have met Martin Bauer to write down their memories of him on a website – "also as a reminder for our children". Her husband was a very dedicated and loving father, "he used every second he could." But the children are still small, memories are fading. After completion, the website will be accessible at martin.queri.de and will also offer the possibility to upload images.
The funeral service begins on Monday at 10.30 a.m. in the pilgrimage church in Andechs. Afterwards, a get-together with family, friends and companions will take place at the Obere Wirt zum Queri. "He would say, 'I'm crazy. But I hope that many people will come, that would have made him happy in the end," says Nicole Bauer. The funeral is scheduled for another day in the close family circle.