Elizabeth Dunn

Elizabeth Frances (Bauer) Dunn, daughter of John and Theresa (Lindner) Bauer was born May 16, 1923 on a farm in Union Township in Shelby County, Iowa. She was baptized in St. Joseph's Catholic church, Earling, received her First Holy Communion in St. Mary's church in Portsmouth and confirmed in St. Michael's church, Harlan.

The Bauer family lived on farms in Crawford and Harrison counties before moving back to Shelby County. They became members of St. Michael's Catholic church in Harlan in 1933.

In 1943, Elizabeth moved to Omaha, where she completed a course at Commercial Extension business school, and was employed at Goldstein-Chapman department store as a secretary for five years. It was in Omaha that she met Dale Dunn. They were married April 18, 1949 in St. John's Catholic church in Omaha. After their marriage they moved to a farm owned by her parents near Kirkman, Iowa. Six children were born to this union: Cynthia, Connie, John, Lloyd, David and Roger. After the death of her husband in 1973, the family moved to Harlan.

In 1968, Elizabeth began working in the office of the Shelby County Auditor, where she was employed for twenty years and retired in 1987.

In retirement, she travelled to the many places as her children had scattered in the United States and Europe. She made trips to Hawaii, as well as Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Spain and Portugal to visit her sisters and children.

Elizabeth made many hand-made quilts as gifts for her children and grandchildren. She especially enjoyed spending time with her friends in her sewing club, and also the LNO club. She was a member of St. Michael's Guild and served as a circle leader for more than 10 years.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dale, an infant grandson, Ian VanDercreek, her sisters Hazel and Genie and her brothers-in-law Darell Muller, Glen Ashley and Edward Ritter. She is survived by her children Cindy and (John) Piegzik of Albuquerque, NM; Connie and (John) VanDercreek of Great Lakes, IL; John Dunn and (Paijit) of Koh Chang, Thailand; Lloyd Dunn of Prague, Czech Republic; David and (Liz) Dunn of Ashland, OR; and Roger Dunn of Nong Khai, Thailand; twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister Marie Ritter of Claremont, CA; as well as nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She passed away on 24 February 2026 in Harlan, Iowa. A gather of family will occur on May 25 - 26 2026 to have a celebration of life and mass and burial in Harlan, Iowa.

Her Celebration of Life Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 25, 2026, at the Heartland Funeral Home in Harlan. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. Inurnment will follow in the Harlan Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is directing memorials to St. Michael’s Catholic Church.