Bauer, Florence T.

Florence T. Bauer, 93, of the Dubuque Retirement Community, died peacefully Tuesday at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque. Her final gesture was to donate her body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body program to further medical research and learning. The Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Resurrection Catholic Church in Dubuque. The Rev. Joseph Hauer will officiate. The Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home in Dubuque is assisting. The family will receive condolences at the church from 9:30 a.m. to the time of service.

Flo was born May 23, 1916, in Dubuque, the daughter of Louis and Anna (Mras) Hetzler. She married Joseph A. Bauer on April 20, 1940, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Dubuque. He preceded her in death on May 6, 2004.

Flo graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in Dubuque. She was employed at J.C. Penney Department Store in the drapery department for 31 years, and was well known as the person to see when you needed drapes. After retirement, she volunteered at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids for 23 years. For 31 years, Flo and Joe were residents of Cedar Rapids, where they were members of St. Patrick Catholic Church. She returned to Dubuque in June 2008 and became a member of Resurrection Catholic Church.

Flo was a talented seamstress, and loved sewing drapes and making costumes for the students at St. Marys School. She was an excellent cook, and enjoyed playing euchre and reading. Flo and Joe traveled extensively in the United States and Europe, and enjoyed spending time at their cottage in Waupeton, Iowa.

She adored her grandchildren, and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her children, David (Susan) Bauer of Dubuque and Jan (Al) Kash of Monroe, Wis.; her nine grandchildren, Todd (Tracey) Bauer of Dubuque, Jodi (Jason) Smith of Waukee, Brad Bauer of Helena, Mont., Dr. Shawn (Deb) Laibly of Oshkosh, Wis., Thor (Kathryn) Laibly of Madison, Wis., Brandi Lyn (Scott) Handel of Whitehouse Station, N.J., Chad (Nicci) Laibly of Annandale, W.Va., Joanne (Scott) Schellhase of Tempe, Ariz., and Madonna Kash of Phoenix; and 16 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and one brother.

After 31 years in Cedar Rapids, she moved back to Dubuque to be close to family.

At the Dubuque Retirement Community, Flo found a pleasant and welcoming place where she enjoyed the fellow residents and activities. Her family would like to thank all of the staff there, especially Marla, Sue, Dagmar, and Michelle for the kind and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be left for the family at