Obituary: Stephen and Alison Bauer

Mass of Christian Burial for Stephen Lee Bauer, 75, and Mary Alison (Daugherty) Bauer, 56, of Baldwin City, Kansas, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 29, 2017 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence. Burial will be held at a later date at Rosebud Cemetery in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.  Steve and Alison passed away in a car accident on Friday, May 19, 2017 in Anderson County, Kansas.

Steve was born December 7, 1941 in Sycamore, Illinois, the son of Cyril Oliver and Virginia Mae (Cornwall) Bauer and Alison was born November 4, 1960 in Beaumont, Texas, the daughter of Joseph Peter and Catherine Anne (Evans) Daugherty. Steve became an Eagle Scout and went on to receive his B.A. from Iowa State University in 1967.  Alison received her B.A. from the University of Kansas in 1984.

Steve married Patricia Ann Seratt October 4, 1963 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.  She preceded him in death October 10, 1995. Alison was previously married to Michael Gerstner in 1983. Steve and Alison were married July 15, 1998 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Stephen and Alison Bauer

Survivors include Alison’s parents, Joseph and Catherine, Marietta, Georgia; Steve and Alison’s children Shawn Bauer (spouse Vickie) of Phoenix, Arizona; Tim Bauer (spouse Rachel) of Washougal, Washington; Stephanie (Bauer) Brennan (spouse David) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Brian Gerstner (spouse Christine) of Lenexa, Kansas; Catherine Gerstner and Shannon Gerstner, both of Lawrence, Kansas; eleven grandchildren, Matthew Bauer (spouse Raeann), Emma Bauer, Patricia Brennan, Henry Brennan, Chase Bauer, Stephen Brennan, Chloe Bauer, Ryan Brennan, Jacob Bauer, Oliver Brennan and Ava Bauer; Steve’s siblings, Michael Bauer, Thomas Bauer, Susan Thorup, Mary Dandurand; and Alison’s siblings, Joseph Daugherty, Jr, Coleen Hosack, Susan Bragg, Jean Leapley, and Michael Daugherty; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Laurie Todd.

Steve and Alison were beloved members of the Baldwin City and Lawrence communities. They operated Bauer Inspection and Consulting Services for over twenty years. Steve’s civic contributions include serving as a Baldwin City Councilman since 2015; the Baldwin City Planning Commission; President of James L. Collins Catholic School Board in Corsicana, Texas and City Councilman in Henryetta, Oklahoma. Alison was on the Baldwin City School Board for ten years serving as President for four. Alison actively supporting numerous causes dear to her heart, most recently Mom’s Demand Action for Gun Sense.

Steve and Alison were avid Jayhawk fans. They were both active volunteers supporting the Baldwin City Habitat for Humanity Project. Steve’s passions included fishing, woodworking, classic cars, and his family. Alison loved to read, travel abroad, host friends and family, and was a devoted wife and mother. They often opened up their home to celebrate any occasion. Steve and Alison had a generosity of spirit that will forever touch all who knew them.

A Rosary will be recited at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 28^th with a visitation to follow until 5 p.m. at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made in their names to Habitat for Humanity and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13^th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044

Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com.