Delores (Gayer) Bauman

Delores Gayer Bauman
Delores (Dee) Bauman passed away peacefully on June 6, 2022 at the age of 87 in Surprise, Arizona. Dee was born to Charles and Edith Gayer on May 24, 1935 in Rock Valley, Iowa. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and graduated with a Home Economics Degree. She married Bradley Bauman on August 5, 1956 in Rock Valley. Dee was diagnosed with diabetes in her late 20’s. But she did not let her condition slow her down and continued to be active in bowling and golf. In fact, she made a hole-in-one at the Rock Valley Golf Course and was sure to let everyone know about it. She enjoyed playing Bridge, Bunko, Mexican Train, and many board games. Last Thanksgiving, she proudly “beat the pants off” of a few of her grandchildren in board games. She was a loyal Days of Our Lives fan for over 55 years and never missed an episode. She did the crossword puzzle every day in ink after reading the entire paper. She also enjoyed watching sports and attended many of her daughters’ and grandchildren’s’ sporting events. She became an avid fan of the Diamondbacks and the Suns. She was not afraid to share her opinions about her favorite players and she often criticized the decisions of the General Managers and the Coaches (especially after a loss). In between all that, she also found time to follow the Mercury and the Cardinals.
She spent many hours a day sewing. She was a tailored seamstress even sewing her daughter Kim’s exquisite wedding dress. Dee was active in her church and did not miss a service. She and Brad watched the weekly Lord of Life services online throughout the COVID Pandemic. Furthermore, she loved participating in her women’s bible study at the church. Most of all, she was a devoted wife and a loving mother. She was loved by everyone who met her.
Dee is survived by her beloved husband, Bradley; three daughters, Kim Leigh Hawekotte (husband Andy), Karri Lynn Kerns (husband Kenneth) and Karla Michelle Bauman; six grandchildren: Keenan Hawekotte, Sydney Hawekotte, Megan Kerns (wife Kaytlyn), Ashley Kerns (wife Kristen), Dakota Farquhar-Caddell (wife Shannon), and Jax Caddell; and three great grandchildren, Huxlee, Ryko and Atlas Farquhar-Caddell. She is also survived by her brother Leland Gayer (wife Mary) and her nieces and nephew: Connie, Ted, Charlotte, Beth & Sarah.
A Celebration of Life for Dee will be held on Saturday, June 18 2022 at 1:00 pm at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 13724 W Meeker Blvd, Sun City West, AZ 85375. Her ashes will be interred in the Lord of Life Columbarium. A reception will immediately follow the interment.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the American Diabetes Association in her name.

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