Jean Marie Bauer

Mrs. Jean Marie Bauer, 86, of Natchitoches, passed away on May 24, 2017 at 12:45 a.m. at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. She was born August 27, 1930 to Willis "Wick" and Lucille (Reid) Derby in Oswego, New York. Her childhood was primarily spent in Vermilion, Ohio off the shores of Lake Erie. Mrs. Bauer is survived by her husband of 52 years, Mr. Cletus P. Bauer, Sr. (Clete) of Natchitoches. Her first marriage blessed her with four children, Mrs. Renea (Eddie) Funderburk of Oregon, Mrs. Kristie (Allen) Van Ness of Florida, Mrs. Terry (Robert) Hartmann of Florida, and Mr. William Palmer of Florida. Her marriage to Mr. Cletus P. Bauer, Sr. blessed her with another daughter Mrs. Paula (Scott) Burrell of Natchitoches. She also has four stepchildren, Mr. Cletus Paul (Susan) Bauer, Jr. of Virginia, Mrs. Melanie (Alan) Donnelly of New Jersey, Mr. James (Noreen) Applebaum of New Jersey and Mr. Dana Bauer of Florida. Mrs. Bauer had twelve grandchildren, Fabian Carr, Kimberly (David) McFalls, Crystal Funderburk, Jesse (Edith) Stanley, Erik Brown, Erin (Micheal) Whitmer, Erik (Meredith) Bauer, Aaron (Lauren) Applebaum, Niki (Nathan) Johnson, Caleb Burrell, Peregrine Burrell, and John Parker Burrell. Mrs. Bauer had 15 great grandchildren. Mrs. Bauer loved to sew and crochet, and often went on extended camping trips throughout the U.S. with her husband Clete. She enjoyed biking, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and could often be found on a square dancing floor taking a promenade with her lifelong love, Clete. She was a member of The Red Hat Society in St Petersburg, Florida, dressing up in fancy red hats and purple attire, enjoying a positive life outlook with her daughters. In later years, Mrs. Bauer loved playing spades, watching Jeopardy and reading James Patterson novels. Mrs. Bauer was a devout Catholic, and loved her church and her Savior deeply. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2017, at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Natchitoches, La. There will be a praying of the rosary prior to the mass at 10:30 a.m. The family would like to thank the medical professionals at The Courtyard of Natchitoches and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, as well as her physicians for their caring compassion to Mrs. Bauer and her family. In lieu of flowers Mr. And Mrs. Bauer would like to encourage contributions to: Diocese of Alexandria Chancery Office, PO Box 7417, Alexandria, LA, 71306-0417. Please address funds to be distributed where needed via a seminary burse on behalf of Mrs. Jean M. Bauer. Donations will go towards the cost of sending men to seminaries in formation for priesthood.