Irene Ann Bauler, 85, passed away peacefully with her family at her side and with the sounds of Elvis filling the room on September 24, 2024. She was born the daughter of Mary Hanely and Paul Loefke on February 2, 1939, in Anthony, Kansas but was adopted by her loving parents, Henry and Joan Bellinghausen when she was almost a year old. Irene attended a country school and later joined the Wakita public schools, graduating from Wakita High School in 1957. She went on to attend Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma for two years and then transferred to Oklahoma College for Women (OCW) in Chickasha, Oklahoma, graduating in 1961. On May 31, 1961, she and Edward Bauler were married in a small, country church called the Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in rural Manchester, Oklahoma. She also made her home in both Ford and Burden, Kansas before moving to Wellington, Kansas for good in 1969. She ran a daycare center in her home from 1969 to 1980. Irene then worked at TG&Y from 1980 to 1986. She was a dedicated volunteer at the Mission Thrift Shop for 30 years. Irene lived a great life and lived for her beloved grandchildren along with her treasured pets including cats, dogs, fish, lizards, and especially her rabbits. Survivors include her husband Ed Bauler of the home; son, Phillip Bauler (Jackie) of Sumter, South Carolina; son, James Bauler (Tammy) of Wichita, Kansas; daughter, Ellen Golden (Terry) of Wellington, Kansas; daughter, Susan Doherty of Wellington, Kansas; daughter, Mary Butler (Brett) of Salina, Kansas; daughter, Jennifer Bauler of Burden, Kansas, 11 grandchildren: Matthew Bauler (Elizabeth) of Wichita, Kansas, Kristi Bauler (Travis Adams) of Winfield, Kansas, Adam Bauler (Abigail Bowman) of Burden, Kansas, Tyler Treft (Sarah) of Wellington, Kansas, Austin Treft (Shelby) of Bel Aire, Kansas, Sharon Bauler of Hazelton, Kansas, Andrew Bauler of Sumter, South Carolina, Jessica Curry (Luke) of Salina, Kansas, Zachary Butler of Salina, Kansas, Hannah Etheridge (Ryan) of Wichita, Kansas, Savannah Bauler of Wichita, Kansas along with her numerous greatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Joan Bellinghausen; her son-in-law, Rodger Doherty and her former granddaughter by marriage, Tonya Bauler. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, September 29th, 2024. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m., Monday, September 30, 2024, and will be followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 30, 2024, both at St. Anthony St. Rose Catholic Church, Wellington, Kansas. Interment will follow at Sumner Memorial Gardens, Wellington, Kansas. Memorial contributions can be given in her name and loving memory to the Mission Thrift Shop, 303 North Washington Avenue, Wellington, Kansas 67152. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home. Please leave a memory, share condolences, or sign her digital tribute wall atwww.cornejofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, 1030 Mission Road, Wellington, Kansas.