Betty (Russell) Bauers, 85
Betty Maxine (Russell) Bauers formerly of Gaylord went home to be with the Lord on December 25th 2017.
Betty was born on February 6th, 1932 in Fairgrove Michigan to the late Bob and Myrtle (Raymond) Russell.
She met her husband Wayne Bauers in high school in Mackinaw City and they courted on a bicycle built for two enjoying rides at Trails End Bay beach along the Lake Michigan shoreline. She graduated from high school in 1950 and married Wayne on Dec 4, 1950, just before he deployed to the Korean War
While Wayne was deployed, Betty lived with her parents and worked for her father-in-law on the “SS Chief Wawatam”, a coal-fired train ferry and icebreaker on the Straits of Mackinac. Betty was a waitress and kitchen aid for the crew.
When Wayne returned home, they bought their first house in Bay City, Mi and had daughters Mary Ann and Linda. Their son Wayne Jr. (Buzz) was born in Sault Ste. Marie, in May 1957 and shortly after his birth the family moved to Gaylord. When her children entered school, Betty went to work for the Gaylord public school’s food service department. Betty enjoyed snowmobiling, and going to High School sporting events. She was also well known in the Gaylord bowling leagues, once bowling a 274.
Betty will be remembered for her quiet gentle soul, kind spirit, and love she shared.
She is survived by her daughter Linda (Steve) Shaw of Ontario and Son Buzz (Cathy) Bauers of Traverse City, Mi; seven grandchildren Kara (Eric) Trammell, SFC Nikki Shaw, SSG Katie Shaw, Alissa (Nathan) Krieg, Nathan (Jana) Bauers, Caleb (Lindsey) Bauers, and Rachel (Darren) Shafer; three great-grandchildren Conner and Hunter Trammell and Zachary Krieg; her brother Ray (Kay) Russell of Vassar, Mi, Brother in Law Gary Bauer of Star Idaho, along with many nieces, nephews.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, one brother, infant daughter Mary Ann and husband of 65 years Wayne Bauers.
Cremation and memorial preparations were prepared by Haren-Wood Funeral Home of Ontario Oregon. A memorial service will be held Summer of 2018, date to be determined. Her final resting place will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Mackinaw City, Michigan next to her husband and daughter.
