Creamy Slow Cooker Potato Cheese Soup

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1/2 of a white onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups of water
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 4 stalks of celery, diced
• 1 tablespoon of dried minced garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of milk
• 2 tablespoons of chicken soup base
• 1 cup of warm water
• 5 pounds of russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese
• 6 slices of crisp cooked bacon, crumbled