Elizabeth Bauer

Betty Ann Bauer passed away on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11, 2008 from complications due to colon cancer.

She was a long time member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, an active member of the Montclair community of Springfield and a treasured friend. Mom was born December 23, 1924 to Bruce T. and Edith E. Patterson of Springfield. She attended Oak Grove elementary, Greenwood High School, and a year at Springfield Teacher's College (now MSU) but her passion was singing. Her brother Clifford Patterson was a much-admired local tenor. At age seventeen, mom had a weekly radio program on KWTO, and later a regular program on Channel 3 TV. She performed with some of Springfield's best musical talent including the Johnny Mac Orchestra, and the O'Reilly band. Saturday nights of the early 1940'saw the Shrine Mosque Auditorium packed for great swing and dancing, with mom on the ticket. Her talent would eventually take her to the famed Hollywood Palladium. While still at Greenwood, she met James Henry Bauer, a college football player and student. They married in Galeta, California October 10, 1944 while Jim was serving in the Marine Corps after the start of WWII. There she entertained the troops, appearing with the Marine Corps Band. Dad's twenty years of military service moved the family around the country, but ultimately the couple returned to Springfield, family of five children in tow. Mom continued to sing locally with artists including Paul Mitchell and Dave Bedell. For nineteen years she administered the St Joseph Grade School cafeteria, a job she loved. Their marriage endured for 61 years, until dad's passing in 2005 from the effects of Parkinson's disease. Mom's cancer diagnosis in February of this year was unexpected and unwelcome, but became an opportunity for family and friends to gather around and return the love she had given all her life. In every important way, mom will always be with us.

She leaves behind daughter Kathrine Ann Stringham and husband Robert, son John Patrick Bauer, son James Michael Bauer and wife Kathleen, daughter Annamarie Bauer, and son Joseph Bruce Bauer, as well as 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by nephews William and Robert Patterson, sons of Clifford Patterson.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7 pm Monday, May 12, 2008 with Rosary Services starting at 7 p.m. in Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home 500 E. Walnut St.

Funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Msgr. Thomas Reidy Celebrant.

Commital services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the Springfield Catholic Schools or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences can be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.