Shirley J. Bauer

Shirley J. Bauer, 86, of Topeka passed away on May 30, 2024. Shirley graduated from Topeka High School with the class of 1956 and graduated from nursing school at St. Luke’s in Kansas City. She was employed as a nurse for seven years while her children were young. She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother, when Chuck and Earl were young boys. After marring Gene on September 1, 1967, she was a stay at home mom. She returned back to work at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library as a clerk in 1986. She later worked in the Red Carpet department. She drove the Red Carpet Van to several area nursing home and care facilities to give residents access to large print books, magnifiers and various items to help them to be able to read. She retired from TSCPL in 1999.

She enjoyed planting flowers, cooking/baking, collecting recipe books, reading, singing in the church choir and spending time with her grandkids.

She is survived by her children, Jackie Dowling (Sam) of Wichita, Chuck Gunter (Linda) of Hoyt, Earl Gunter of Blue Springs, Missouri and Cathy Bauer-Clark of Topeka; 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter as well as many nieces and nephews whom she loved greatly.

She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Bauer in 2021 and all five of her siblings. Shirley was also preceded in death by three great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 11:00 am at Parker-Price and Davidson Funerals and Receptions. Prior to the memorial service the family will receive friends from 10-11 am at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow the memorial service at Prairie Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Elara Caring Hospice.

Shirley's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.