I had the privilege of knowing Sherri Bauer since I was a little girl, while others were lucky to know her as a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was a close family friend and a constant presence in the lives of many. Even though I only saw her at special occasions or gatherings growing up, she always had a way of leaving an impact on me. From the time I was a little girl I would always be so excited to see Sherri. She was one of those people who you would always make the time to talk to you. It wasn’t some bland conversation that someone awaits to be over. The types of conversations I had with Sherri always left me thinking what a truly extraordinary woman she was, and I was lucky to know her. I have encountered many types of people in my life, but Sherri was always a woman who I found remarkable. Happiness beamed through Sherri, lifting up anyone who happened to be in her presence. If I needed a woman to bring a smile to my face or give me a compliment to lift my spirits about life, Sherri was always there. As I think of the many characteristics she had, I see them reflected so clearly in her family. I grew up living next to her daughter, Sarah, son-in-law Jamie, and her grandchildren Isabella, Emery, and Elianna. Growing up next door to them was the reason I got to meet their amazing Mimi. Over the past few days, I’ve reflected deeply on this wonderful family, and I’m confident that Sherri’s memory will continue to live on within each of them. I will remember when looking at each member of the family the characteristics Sherri instilled in them and I will be able to witness that beautiful heartwarming smile Sherri possessed every time I look at them smiling. 

I am lucky enough to also know Sherri’s eldest daughter, Katie Westphal. Katie is a woman who I have got closer to as I have gotten older. She reminds me of the other side of Sherri I will miss dearly. Katie never fails to make someone laugh or bring a smile to someone’s face. Sherri was a woman who lived life in such a beautiful way that people recognized the happiness she spread. Katie spreads this happiness in her own way, bringing joy and laughter to the people in her life just as Sherri did. Katie is an amazing woman just like her mother who I can without a doubt confirm will make Sherri proud by simply being the creative, whimsical, caring, and joyful woman she is everyday. The Westphal family includes Katie, Brandon, and Avery. During this time of loss for their family, I hope they take these moments to admire the woman their mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother was. I know all three of them will continue to embody the traits and values she had that made everyone love her so much. 

Grief is truly an indescribable feeling until there comes a time you have to experience it yourself. But the thing about grief is it will bring reflection to your everyday life. The last week since Sherri’s passing has made me question the way I approach situations, and the person I lack to be sometimes. The loss of this woman has made me realize life is full of sorrow but the pain inflicted on us typically grows perception. As time goes on, the perfect viewpoint of life shifts from the one we once had as children, leading us to become frightened with the realities of life. It’s hard to accept the truth that in your lifetime grief will be something that never gets easier no matter if you’re prepared for it or not. Amid this time of sorrow, I have come to believe that little to nothing is more important than family. Sherri was a woman that loved spending time with her family and took pride in the amazing family she had. For this reason I have shifted my focus in life to the people who have been there for me the most, my family. 

In the Bible, 1st Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

This Bible verse reminded me of a woman whose life reflected this kind of love. Sherri had the kindest heart, was a natural teacher, and had a way of making everyone feel loved. I wasn’t related to Sherri but that didn’t matter to her. She always treated me with the kindness and love of one of her family members. This Bible verse reminded me that Sherri’s life truly reflected this kind of love. Through her actions, she taught me that love is selfless, patient, and enduring, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Sherri Bauer was married to a man named Fred Bauer, who tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer two years ago. This June would have marked their 57th wedding anniversary. I can only hope that Fred and Sherri are now together again, spending their anniversary side by side and looking over the people they loved most. When I think of two genuinely amazing people, Fred and Sherri are the first who come to mind. The love they shared didn’t just fill a room, it stayed with you, leaving a lasting impression of what true, wholehearted love really looks like. One thing I will always hold onto is a story Sherri used to tell me about my mom and dad from when I was little. She would always say how beautiful they were as a couple, never failing to recognize and admire the kind of people they were, both individually and together. That was just who Sherri was, someone who saw the good in people and made sure they felt it. When thinking about this story and how much Sherri recognized the love between my parents, I can only hope when I get married Sherri would see the same type of love between my future spouse and I that she had with Fred. 

Sherri Bauer was a woman I was blessed enough to know and learn so much from. She was a beautiful woman who exemplifies the person I want to strive to be like as I become older. She was beautiful, kindhearted, genuine, and I will miss dearly. I will miss the light she brought to every room she was in, as well as the way she could make every person in her presence feel unconditionally loved. Sherri Bauer was an amazing woman who left a lasting impact on my life. I hope that as I grow older I learn to approach life as Sherri would, and be able to spread happiness, joy, and love the way Sherri Bauer did. 

Funerals focus on the life that people lived from the moment they were born. I didn’t know Sherri until later in her life, but I am positive she was kind, energetic, loyal, and faithful throughout her whole life. As we go along in this journey of life and memories of Sherri continue to fill our minds, let us remember the woman who loved us all in her own way. Take this time of grief to recognize the life where Sherri prioritized ensuring everyone felt loved and cared for. Sherri’s memory will never fade in the minds of the people who knew the woman she was. Sherri was a wonderful mother to both Katie and Sarah there is no doubt about it, but the love a grandmother has for her grandchildren is a special type of love. Avery, Emery, Isabella, and Elianna were blessed with a woman whom they called Mimi. Mimi loved them with all of her heart and I know she will be right there with all of them as they go through their biggest milestones in life. As they get married, graduate, start a family, and live this wonderful life with the people they love, Mimi and Fred will be together looking down at the people they both loved most, with beautiful smiles on their faces.