Shirley Eleanor Bauer

Shirley Eleanor Bauer, age 78, of Elsmore, Kansas went to meet her savior Saturday, January 14, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born April 14, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri to Ralph Bauer and Violet Samp Bauer. She was the oldest of five children and grew up on the family farm in rural Elsmore. She attended Elsmore schools and was very active in sports, band, pep club and glee club. She graduated from Elsmore High School in 1957 and graduated from Iola Junior College with an associate's degree in 1959. She attended Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg. She loved children and worked as a nanny for several years. She became a certified nurse's aide and worked at Allen County Hospital and several nursing homes. She worked in central supply at Neosho Memorial Hospital and was a caregiver who enjoyed taking care of people in their homes. She also worked at Berg Manufacturing. Shirley lived in Chanute for several years and came home to the farm for her love of the outdoors. She loved gardening, yard work, fishing and taking care of animals - especially her dogs. Her hobbies included embroidery, crafts, cooking and canning. Family and friends enjoyed her annual gifts of embroidered tea towels and canned goods. She loved farmers markets and was a vendor at both Iola and Chanute. Shirley loved to travel. Shirley was a member of the Elsmore United Methodist Church, where she was active in Youth Fellowship and Sunday school in her younger years, later becoming an adult leader. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women, serving as secretary for many years. She especially enjoyed the fellowship of their weekly meetings, which included quilting. While other members were quilting, she was busy doing her embroidery, adding her skills to a quilt when needed. Shirley had a servant's heart. She was truly happy to serve her family, church and community. Her faith in Jesus as her savior gives us the assurance that we will see her again. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Violet Bauer; brother-in-law, Dr. Larry Magnuson; sister-in-law Linda Bauer; and two nephews Daniel Bauer and David Bauer. Shirley is survived by three brothers, Don Bauer and wife Donna, Iola, KS, Duane Bauer and wife Donajean, Ft. Scott, KS, and Darrell Bauer and wife Janet, Erie, KS; one sister, Mary Ann Magnuson-Patterson and husband Dr. Max Patterson, Iola, KS. She was very devoted to all of her family and she dearly loved her twelve nieces and nephews, Judy Johnson and husband Dr. Brian, Wichita, KS, Terri Varner and husband Mark, Midland, TX, Dan Bauer, Pittsburg KS, Donna Bauer, Pittsburg KS, Jim Bauer and wife Shelby, Iola, KS, Trudy Richwine and husband Stacy, Erie, KS, Marci Knoff and husband Brett, Leawood, KS, Keri Jarvis and husband Dr. Chris, Burlington, KS, Neil Magnuson, New York, NY, Ryan Magnuson, Mission, KS, Stuart Patterson and wife Sara, Chanute, KS, and Brock Patterson and wife Tess, Broken Arrow, OK. An additional source of great joy were her 20 great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by many cousins and friends. She loved and appreciated her friends and caregivers at Windsor Place, where she lived for the last two years of her life. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, January 20, 2017 at the Elsmore United Methodist Church, Elsmore. Burial will follow in the Elsmore Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday evening at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola. Memorial contributions are suggested to Elsmore United Methodist Church or ACARF - Allen County Animal Rescue Facility. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .