Kathleen M. (Bartels) Lauer |
| Posted 2025-11-16 by mhenderson |
| Published by Yuma Sun on Nov. 16, 2025 - Yuma, Arizona - Kathleen (Kathy) M Lauer joined our heavenly father on Tuesday November 11, 2025. Kathy was born October 29, 1942 in Rochester, MN and was the middle of 5 children. Kathy was an adventurous soul and moved to Ellensberg, WA after high school and then on to Denver, CO where she worked at BCBS under the supervision of Thelma Lauer, who introduced her to her son and future husband Jimmy D Lauer. Jimmy was a US Marine and deployed to Vietnam where he was injured by a land mine and sent to Australia for R &R. It was then that he sent an airplane ticket to Kathy and she flew across the world to be by his side, and there he proposed. They were married October 17, 1970 and traveled the world together as a military couple living in Agana, Guam, Oceanside, CA, and Iwakuni, Japan before his final duty station in Yuma, AZ in 1980. Kathy was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Jimmy D Lauer; son, Dale L Lauer; brothers, William (Bill) Bartels and Richard (Dick) Bartels, and parents, Marie and Lester Bartels. She is survived by her daughter, Tanya (Bobby) Nash; grandchildren Brooke and Dillon Nash of Yuma, and Genevieve and Braxton Lauer of Phoenix; brother, James (Susan) Bartels of Rochester, MN; sister, Karen Whitted of Stuartville, MN, and several nieces and nephews. Kathy retired from Pilkington Construction as their office manager and was also the office manager for Curtis Lee Construction and Jerry Thomas Construction Company. She was a member of ABWA (American Business Women's Association) which helps connect women in business in various fields including construction. She was the assistant manager/manager of Inca lanes when it first opened and was directly involved in getting the PWBA (Pro Women's Bowling Association} to include Yuma on it's tour, bringing ESPN to Yuma to live broadcast the tournament. Kathy was passionate about her hobbies, bowling and golf. She was a member of the WBA/USBC (Women's Bowling Association/United States Bowling Congress) for 63 years where she competed in numerous tournaments. She served on the Arizona state board and local boards for over 20 years, holding positions such as 2nd Vice President for 6 years on the state level, President of the local for 4 years, Director and Treasure for state for 2 years, and Director of local for over 10 years where she also served on numerous committees and was a national delegate for 13 years and a state delegate for 5- years. She has won several tournaments local, state, and at a nation level, including the Yuma Queens Tournament in 2001, singles, doubles and singles and team events in local and state tournaments and local and state senior tournaments. A local scholarship program was set up in her name for our local youth bowlers, know as the Kathy Lauer Scholarship Award. Kathy was also an avid golfer, golfing on local leagues and participating in local tournaments. She had won tournaments locally and enjoyed bragging about shooting not just one but two hole in one's. Kathy has touched many lives over her 83 years and cherished each friendship she created. Those that knew her know of here dedication, loyalty, sincerity, compassion, and work ethic. The friendships she created were lifetime commitments that followed her around the world with her travels in the military. She never seemed to forget a birthday or special occasion for anyone, and for all of this and so much more she will be missed dearly. Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun |
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