Patricia Ann Bauers, 71, of Austin, died on Oct. 8, 2013, at her home surrounded by her family after a long battle with COPD.

She was born Oct. 20, 1941, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Pauline Krowiroz. Patricia was united in marriage to Donald Bauers on Sept. 14, 1957, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. To this union were five children born.

The couple resided in Wells and was employed at Stampers. In 1969, they moved to Austin and she was employed by Marsden Janitorial Service and then Godfather’s Pizza. She later became a homemaker and helped care for her seven grandchildren.

Patricia enjoyed dancing, bowling, playing Bingo, playing cards, crocheting and taking care of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing on the first Nintendo game station and proudly holds the honor of being the first person in the family of gamers to get to the princess on Super Mario Brothers!

Pat, or sometimes known as “Punky” to her aunts and uncles, was a strong and spirited person. Although she was a petite woman, she had a larger-than-life personality and always claimed “dynamite comes in small packages.” Pat’s loving and nurturing quality has touched many lives. Besides always being there for her family, Pat also volunteered at the Senior Citizens Center, providing phone contact to residents in the community and she enjoyed the fact that she had brightened someone’s day.

Patricia is preceded in death by her mother, Pauline; and her daughter, Shelly. She will be sadly missed by her husband, Don; pet, Oscar; four children, Steve Bauers (Chris), Kathy (Gary) Weber, Sue (Brad) Huehn and Kim (John) Waller; sister-in-law, Runette (Dave) Madson; seven grandchildren, Jason (Natalie) Weber, Mitch (Gretchen) Weber, Dustin (Angie) Weber, Brandi Bauers and Cole, Corey and Katie Waller; five step-grandchildren, Amber, Autumn, Aron, Ashley and Cody Huehn; and very close friend, Linda Meyer.

A memorial/celebration of life gathering will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ruby Rupner Auditorium, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, 1304 21st St. NE, Austin.