Katherine M. Bayer

Katherine Marie Bayer, age 82, of Laurens, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Laurens Care Center in Laurens, Iowa.

Katherine Marie Moore was born on January 19, 1944, in Chetopa, Kansas. She was the daughter of Clarence and Wilma Irene (Furnas) Moore. She attended Chetopa High School and later earned her GED. On October 7, 1961, Katherine was united in marriage to Ralph Bayer in Chetopa, Kansas. The couple lived in various cities in the Midwest until 1969 when they settled in Laurens. After her kids were raised, she went back to school and earned her LPN Certificate from ICCC in 1993 and Physical Therapy Assistant Degree in 1996 from Western Iowa Tec. in Sioux City. She worked at Hovenden Good Samaritan Center for many years, retiring in 2010. Ralph passed away in 2011 and Katherine continued to make her home in Laurens.

Katherine was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rosary Society and served as a Girl Scout Leader. She enjoyed painting, drawing, woodworking and reading and taught continuing adult education classes in art and painting.

Survivors include her children, Michael (Tess) Bayer of San Diego, CA, Linda Gardner of Castle Rock, CO, Jean Hofmaster of Neola, IA, Milissa (Randy) Frerichs of Laurens, Paul Bayer of Omaha, NE and Sara (John) Shuyler of Fredericksburg, PA; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, Wilma (Donald) Exum of Wichita, KS, Clarence Turner "C.T." Moore of Chetopa, KS, Robert Moore of Chetopa, KS and Earnest (Dixie) Moore of Chetopa, KS.

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ralph and granddaughter, Hannah Shuyler.