Floyds Knobs, Indiana - LaVera Marie (Taylor) Bauer, 95, of Floyds Knobs, IN, passed peacefully at home in the early hours of Friday, July 24th, 2026. She was born on June 4th,1931 in Sumner, IL to the late Carson E. Taylor and Irene Ellen (McCally) Taylor. As a child, LaVera lived a simple life on their farm with lots of family nearby. She played with her siblings in the yard, gathered eggs and helped with chores. At 5 years old, she started school in a one room schoolhouse just down the road.

When LaVera was 11 they moved to southern Indiana, settling in New Albany where she lived happily for the rest of her life. LaVera had five siblings: Rozella Englert, Lodema Applegate (Ollie), Carson Leroy Taylor, Charles Leonard Taylor (Peggy), and Robert Taylor. In 1948 LaVera graduated from New Albany High School, which is where she met her soulmate Buzz Bauer. They married shortly after high school and started building the family that became the center of her world.

For more than eighty years, Main Street United Methodist was her church home. Church was not simply the place where LaVera worshipped—it was a cornerstone of her life. As an adult she served on numerous church committees and boards and volunteered at the Main Street Soup Kitchen and Thrift Store. She believed that faith was best expressed through service, and she quietly lived that belief every day.

Outside of church and family, LaVera found joy through creativity. She delighted in creating beautiful spaces inside and outside of her home. Gardening was a passion of hers and her flower beds grew as she nurtured her collection of daylilies and other perennials. She also enjoyed painting various ceramics alongside a wonderful group of friends for almost 20 years. Those gatherings produced not only many family heirlooms but also lifelong friendships. LaVera also enjoyed staying in touch with her classmates from New Albany High School through their "Lunch Bunch", and with her childhood neighbors, through what they called "The Seventh Street Gang".

Above all else, LaVera was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, sister, and friend whose greatest joy in life was her family. She was proud to be a true homemaker. LaVera was known for managing a tight budget, sewing clothing for her growing brood. She kept quite busy raising five children. LaVera loved unconditionally and always placed the needs of those she loved before her own. Her love was constant, her support unwavering, and her home was a place where everyone felt welcomed, cared for, and cherished.

She was a loving mother to: Sherry Bauer Simms, Karen Bauer Cox (Gary), DeeAnn Bauer Weprinsky (Peter), James (J.B.) Bauer, and David Bauer (Laura). She took tremendous pride in each of her children and cherished every opportunity to gather the family together. Her love only grew with each new generation.

She was a proud grandmother to; Kelley Moore (Brian), Sara Simms King (Andy), Julie Simms Roll (Wes), Drew Weprinsky, Tori Weprinsky, Morgan Bauer Brown (Cam), Lauren Bauer, Lexi Bauer Ammon (Ethan), and Hadley Bauer. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Alyssa Moore, Bryce Moore, Caleb King, Camille King, Lee Roll, Jalen Bauer, and Elijah Ammon, and delighted in becoming a great-great-grandmother to Grayson Moore. Whether attending celebrations, offering words of encouragement, sharing family recipes or simply enjoying time together, LaVera made each member of her family feel deeply loved and valued.

LaVera always wanted to stay in the home she and Buzz had built. J.B. lived with them for many years in this last phase of their lives, which allowed LaVera and Buzz to both enjoy her impressive flower gardens and the birds in the backyard. During the final two years of her life, LaVera was also blessed to have the loving care and companionship of her caregiver, Brittany Becht. We are forever grateful for Brittany and the compassion she showed to LaVera to the very end.

LaVera was preceded in death by; her loving husband of 72 years, Karl Bernard (Buzz) Bauer; parents, Carson E. Taylor and Irene (McCally) Taylor; and siblings, Lodema (Taylor) Applegate and Leroy Taylor.

Those who knew LaVera will remember her quick wit, spunky spirit, quirky sayings and willingness to always voice her opinion. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome and important with her warm smile and twinkling blue eyes. Through a caring conversation, a home-cooked meal, a big hug or simply her comforting presence, she demonstrated love in countless ways. Her life was a beautiful example of humility, grace, and selfless devotion.

LaVera's greatest legacy is not measured by accomplishments or accolades, but by the family she loved so completely and the countless lives she enriched through her kindness and compassion. She leaves behind generations who will forever carry her love in their hearts and strive to honor the example she set. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.

Friday, July 31st- Visitation will be from 4-8pm at Naville Seabrook Funeral Home (1119 East Market Street, New Albany, IN 47150)

Saturday, August 1st- Visitation from 10-11am and Funeral from 11-12pm at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church (2100 US-150, Floyd's Knobs, IN 47119). Entombment to follow at Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park.

In Lieu of flowers please consider making a gift to the Salvation Army in New Albany, IN.