Bickley Ann Bauer-Saunders

Bickley A Bauer-Saunders, 72, passed away on Friday, October 27th, 2023, surrounded by her family, following a brief illness due to complications from brain cancer. She was born on February 11, 1951 in Denver, CO, the daughter of Billy and Marjorie (Blevins) Bauer. In 1973, Bickley graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Psychology. While at Northwestern, she married Bruce Hetzler in 1972, and together they had two children, Matthew and Amy. She spent much of their childhood as a stay at home mom, and as the children grew up, she entered the workforce first as a realtor, and later as part of the mortgage industry. Bickley married George Saunders on August 27, 1994. Together they traveled the world, helped raise their children from previous marriages, owned a number of happy dogs, and enjoyed being part of the Lawrence University community. In 2001, George suffered a serious brain injury, and Bickley devotedly and cheerfully cared for him until his death in 2020.

Bickley was as unique as her name. She found joy in every part of life, and loved nothing more than being with her family, whom she loved fiercely. Her strength in mind and spirit carried her through some of life's most difficult challenges, and all the while she never stopped trying to make other people's lives better. She had a quick wit, was a fantasy football savant, and had the most caring, beautiful soul. Her positivity was infectious, and will live on in those she loved most.

Bickley is survived by her children: Matthew (Heather) Hetzler and Amy (Nick) Day; stepson: Joshua (Kim Mosolf) Saunders; grandchildren: Hailey Hetzler, Ethan Hetzler, Justin Day, George Saunders, and Eleanor Mosolf; and countless friends, relatives, and acquaintances whose lives she touched over the years. Bickley was also an animal lover who leaves behind her beloved dog Butterscotch, who will always be deeply loved and cared for.