LeEtte “Kay” Bauers, 72, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, died Monday, March 25, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea.

LeEtte Kay Bauers was born on Jan. 1, 1947, in Austin, Minnesota, the daughter of George and GeorgeEtta (Bannick) Dreyer. She grew up and attended school in Austin. On Aug. 16, 1969, Kay was united in marriage to William “Bill” Bauers Jr. They later divorced, but found love again and remarried on May 24, 1975. She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir. She was also a member of the Albert Lea Moose Club. Kay worked at St. Olaf hospital in Austin for many years. After leaving nursing, she operated an in-home daycare for years and loved her daycare kids “as her own.” She then worked at Thorne Crest in Albert Lea for many years. Kay liked to cook and was very good at it. Another favorite of hers was baking chocolate chip cookies for neighborhood kids. During the past few years she did a lot of canning of hot green beans. Kay loved spending many summer weekends camping, especially at her parents’ cabin in Faribault, Minnesota. There were always lots of family, fishing, horseshoes, and many good times. Kay also loved gardening, working in her flowerbeds, and having friends and family over to play in the pool.

Kay was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be missed by so many.

Kay is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Bauers Jr. of Albert Lea; daughters, Kim (Mike) Bidwell of Willmar, Minnesota, and Mindy (John) Hornberger of Glenville, Minnesota; grandchildren, Sereen Bidwell (Zach) of Mankato, Minnesota, Jacob Bidwell of Mankato and Tannon, Taylor, and Tavin Hornberger of Glenville; siblings, Dori (Jim) Reim of Oregon, Linda Bloor of Florida, Annette Haro of Missouri, Wendy Thompson of Mankato and Randy (Kathy) Dreyer of Wisconsin; many nieces and nephews, who she loved very much; and many friends, who she considered family.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, George and GeorgeEtta Dreyer; mother and father-in-law, Irene and William Bauers Sr.; sister-in-law, Sharon Bates; and brothers-in-law, Norman Bauers, Hugh Bates and Dan Bloor.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2019, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home with Pastor Kent Otterman officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Sunday, March 31, 2019, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service on Monday at the funeral home. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.