Dolores Jean Bauer, age 77, Springfield MO died at her home March 6th after a lengthy illness.  Dolores was born August 23, 1943 in Youngstown, Ohio to Peter and Josephine Harkey, the first of three children.

After graduation from Cardinal Mooney High, Dolores completed her degree in nursing at Saint Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing in Youngstown.  Dolores then attended St. Louis University to pursue her Bachelors of Science in nursing. During her first year she met her soon-to-be husband, William Joseph Bauer, who was attending Dental School at St. Louis University. Dolores and Bill were married June 18, 1966. Prior to completion of their respective degrees and their subsequent move to Springfield, Dolores and Bill were blessed with the birth of their first of two children, Laura. Their second child, Patrick, was born two years later in Springfield.

Laura was born with a rare skin condition, Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. The doctors initially gave her 2 weeks to live. Laura lived 30 years, thanks in large part to the unconditional love, dedication and commitment of care by her mom.

This dedication and commitment to other's needs before hers defined Dolores. The consummate optimist, Dolores always found a way to make the moment about anyone but herself.  No matter the circumstance, her positive outlook and selfless attitude were a constant, defined by her contagious smile and blissful laugh. Dolores was an Angel on Earth.

Dolores was a decorated artist, a self-described "Hobby Painter" who worked in watercolor and acrylic.  She was a lifetime member of the Southwest Missouri Museum Associates (SMMA), whose purpose is to promote and support the arts in Southwest Missouri and the Springfield Art Museum. She participated in many art groups and clubs, including Splatter, Artworks, and Springfield Plein Air, as well as being a member artist at Fresh Gallery in downtown Springfield. Dolores was honored with a selection in Watercolor USA in 2009.

Dolores was an avid tennis player in her younger years, and later enjoyed many rounds of golf with her family and her friends on the golf courses in the Ozarks.  She was an active member at Twin Oaks Country Club.

Dolores was a devout Catholic. She and her family attended Immaculate Conception Church. She was a lifetime member of the Daughters of Saint Frances De Sales, serving as a prayer group for those most in need. She was a supporter of the Sisters of Carmel, most notably the Carmelite Monastery in South Springfield (Now Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri).

Dolores was preceded in death by her father and mother, Peter and Josephine and by her daughter, Laura.

Dolores was dedicated to her family; her daily rosary intentions always mentioned her grandchildren.  Dolores is survived by her loving husband William, son Patrick and his wife Karilyn, her four grandchildren, Drew, Gus, Millie and Xander Bauer; Brother Paul and wife Florence Harkey of Canfield, OH; Sister Patty Canton of Youngstown, OH; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, Thursday, March 11, from 5pm-7pm with Rosary following.  Funeral Mass will be Friday, March 12 at 10:30am at Immaculate Conception Church, with interment following at Resurrection Cemetery, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the Immaculate Conception Parish Facebook page and YouTube channel: ICSpringfield.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SMMA, 1111 E Brookside Drive, Springfield, MO, 65807.