Lona Mae Mathis Bauer, 85, of Overland Park, passed away on March 14, 2014 in her home per her wishes. Lona was born May 30, 1928 in Sturgeon, MO to Walter and Hazel Mathis. She was raised on a farm, the third of six daughters. In September of 1949 she married a tall, funny and good looking guy from Brooklyn, New York named Charles George Bauer. They had 4 children and from that time forward she devoted her life to her husband and children. Lona took employment with the IRS and then moved over to the FAA and worked her way up through the agency to work directly with Air Traffic Controllers before her retirement. Later in life, she loved to travel. Survivors include her sister, Betty Bradley of Columbia, MO, her four children, Chris Bauer (Glenda Cantrell) of Tulsa, OK, Janice Bauer (Larry) Wright of Independence, MO, Douglas Bauer (Lorie Wagner) of Brighton, CO, and Mark Bauer (Camille Villegas) of Overland Park, KS, her six grandchildren, Jeff (Alison) Bauer, Sarah (Ken) Schneider, Bradley Bauer, Derek (Kylee) Bauer, Christa Bauer, and Shannon Bauer, her nine great-grandchildren, Dakota Downing, Kaiden Schneider, Charlotte, Darla, Beck, and Miles Bauer, and Malcolm, Sam, and Bennett Schneider as well as many loved nieces and nephews, and other relatives. Lona is preceded in death by her parents, and her loving husband of 46 years, Charles Bauer, and four sisters, Loretta Kent, Marilyn Kiburz, Sue Perkins, and Patricia Mathis Spauldin. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 21st, 6-8 PM, at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 22nd, 3:30 PM, also at the funeral home. Entombment will be private at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Memorial Gardens. Contributions may be made in Lona's honor to the March of Dimes . Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com (Arrangements by D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, OP, KS 66210. (913) 451-1860

Published in Kansas City Star on Mar. 19, 2014