Kay Ann Bauer

KAY ANN BAUER, age 55 of St. Charles, IL, passed away peacefully, Friday, March 31, 2006, at her home after a long and courageous battle with M.S. She was born March 31, 1951, in Oak Park, IL, the daughter of Gardner and Dorothy (Bodenbach) Dodge. Kay lived in Broadview, IL for her early years then moved to Lombard, IL. She attended local schools and graduated from Glenbard East High School with the class of 1969. She went on to attend N.I.U. in De Kalb for a time.On June 18, 1970, she was united in marriage to Ross Allen Bauer. They lived in Newport, Rhode Island while Ross served with the U.S. Navy and then returned to make their home in St. Charles, IL. In the early 1980\\\’s, Kay began attending Elgin Community College and returned to N.I.U. where she worked towards her degree to become a secondary ed. math teacher. In June of 1982, Kay and Ross went their separate ways. Kay continued to make her home in St. Charles.The mother of two daughters, Kay was not only a homemaker; she was "Mom" to everyone. She volunteered as a Brownie leader when her daughters were young and was a faithful member of the First Congregational Church of St. Charles. Her upbeat personality and bright smile inspired those around her and she was concerned about everyone. Above all the things in her life Kay’s daughters, Kim and Christina, were blessed with an unconditional mother’s love. They returned that love in many ways, especially as they became their mother’s caregivers. Through the years, as M.S. stole her strength, the power of love more than overcame her loss. "Muscling" their mother’s wheelchair to church on Sunday and to any other place they chose to go, the three of them moved as one. With laughter and faith, humility, ingenuity and indomitable determination, they lived each day to the fullest and slept each night without regret. Kay is survived by her daughters, Kim Bauer (Scott Briggs) of Seattle, WA and Christina (Gavin) Hayes of Geneva, IL; their father, Ross Bauer of Villa Park, IL; her mother, Dorothy Dodge of Waterloo, IL, two brothers, David Dodge of Palm Springs, CA and James Dodge of Geneva, IL, as well as countless friends.She is preceded in death by her father, Gardner Dodge.Her visitation will be held from 4-8pm, Friday, April 7, 2006, at the Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL and Saturday morning, April 8, 2006, from 9:30am – 10:15am, at the Congregational United Church Of Christ in St. Charles, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. (LaFox Rd.). Her memorial celebration service will follow at 10:30am with the Rev. John Rogers officiating. There will be a time to share memories during the service. A memorial has been established to benefit Multiple Sclerosis research and other charities in Kay’s name. Memorial checks may be made to the Kay Bauer Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Memories and tributes may be sent to the same address or forwarded to the family through her obituary at www.conleycare.com. Or phone 1-800-8-CONLEY for more information.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 7, from 4-8pm at Conley Funeral Home, Elburn, IL and Saturday, April 8, from 9:30am until 10:15am at the Congregational United Church of Christ of St. Charles, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. (LaFox Rd.). A memorial celebration service will follow at 10:30am at church. The Rev. John Rogers will officiate.

Following cremation, private family committal services will later be held.