Mary Louise Bauch

Mary Louise Bauch, 91, of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died peacefully Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Good Samaritan Center, Mt. Carroll. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, March 7, at 10:30 a.m. at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Mt. Carroll with Pastor Donna Hoffman officiating. Immediately following the service, inurnment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Mt. Carroll. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 6, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the Mt. Carroll Township Library or the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church.

Mary was born September 26, 1926, in Freeport, Illinois, to J. Bernard “Ben” and Frieda (Ruthe) Lindgren. She graduated from Freeport High School in 1944 and married Donald E. Bauch in 1947. He died March 2, 2006. Mary was a bookkeeper for Don’s Business, Bee Line Ready Mix. She worked at the Mt. Carroll National Bank, The Runaway Unicorn clothing shop, as editor for the Mirror Democrat newspaper and at the Carroll County Courthouse where she retired as secretary to the state’s attorney’s office.

Mary was a faithful member of the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church, singing in the choir and as a soprano soloist for community choral performances. She was past president of the Community Club, and of Chapter GA, PEO Sisterhood and had served terms as trustee on the public library board.

Mary loved her family, singing, reading, knitting, golfing, bridge, fashion and color. In later years she was happiest watching the birds at her windows and her lovely flower beds. She shared kindness whenever she could.

Mary will be dearly remembered by daughters Barbara Sparboe, Mt. Carroll, and Deborah (David) Seibert, Atlanta, Georgia; five grandchildren; four great-grandsons; her sister, Betty Mathews, Freeport, Illinois; and some wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; their son, Timothy; grandson, Ben Seibert; son-in-law William Sparboe, Jr; and three sisters, Dorothy Lief, Bernice Anderson and Aletha Fickes.