Eppie O. Bayer

Epimenia (Eppie) O. Bayer, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend; age 90, of El Paso, Texas was called home peacefully by our Heavenly Father on Sunday, July 21, 2024. She was born on March 24, 1934 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Eppie is preceded in death by her parents, Sisto Gonzalez Ortiz and Maria Rosenda Rodriguez, her husband John A. Bayer, her sons, Peter A. and Paul, grandson Daniel Aaron, her younger sister Mary Cecilia, her brothers Enrique, Mariano and Cruz Ortiz. She is survived by her children, Mary Bayer Hagan (Daniel), Lawrence C. Bayer, Tracy E. Bayer, Felicia Bayer Voldahl, Laurie Ann Jonas, and her sister Daria Jarrell. Eppie leaves behind 14 grandchildren to honor her legacy: John Daniel Hagan (Milady), Jasmine Bayer Riddle (DeAngelo), Jacqueline Epimenia Bayer, Lawrence Christopher Bayer II, Margaret Katherine Rose Bayer (Nicolas Alvarez), Edward John Francis Shukitt, William Christopher Thomas Shukitt, Ronald Keith Voldahl (Melinda), Madeline Nicole Milner (Steffen), Ema Grace Voldahl, Dalton Patrick Jonas, Ella Grace Szanyi, Ryan Alexander Szanyi; as well as 7 great grandchildren: Aiden Nicholas and Audrey Symone Riddle, Lonnie James and David Keith Voldahl, Charlotte Grace Milner, Maximiliano Peter Bayer and Emilia Martha Bayer Alvarez. She is also survived by many extended family and friends that will cherish and honor her memory.

 She was employed at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico where she met her future husband, John. They married in the Chapel on the base on February 7, 1959 then moved to El Paso, Texas and built a home where she resided for 64 years until her passing on Sunday July 21, 2024. Eppie took care of her parents when they each got sick until their passing; all while raising her six children. She lost Peter’s twin, Paul, at birth. As a result, Petey was born with cerebral palsy. She loved and took care of him until he passed on Christmas morning in his sleep in her home, he was 31. She lived a full and very busy life with no complaints while being a loving mother.

 During those years, she was a Brownie Leader, a Girl Scouts Coordinator and Webelos Cub Scout leader. Eppie was also a March of Dimes volunteer for 15 years, going door to door for blocks and blocks in our neighborhood collecting donations. From 1967 to 1987, Eppie drove all her children to and from school every day. She also gave many of our friends a ride as well “if they lived on the route”. Everyone knew Mrs. Bayer’s blue van.

 Eppie held local and state level positions in the Parent Teachers Association of Texas for 20 years. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America as well as the Rosary Alter Society at her parish, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Northeast El Paso. She and her beloved husband John gave of their time and countless donations to the Diocese of El Paso, Most Holy Trinity, and sponsored two Seminarians as well. Eppie and John also sponsored several Native American children from South Dakota as well as several African children through Catholic Ministries providing for their clothing, shelter, food and schooling. They did all of this together because of their deep devotion to their Roman Catholic faith.

She survived a massive stroke 24 years ago, never gave up and recovered. In the last six years she became ill with Alzheimer’s and a blood cancer that progressively got worse. Through all her appointments and treatments, Eppie showed all of us, four generations, how to handle life with dignity and unparalleled grace. She was kind, a friend to everyone, helped anyone in need and lived her faith every day of her 90 years. Most of all, Eppie O. Bayer was our mother; a grandmother and great grandmother. She is the most shining example of what selflessness and loving others really means.

 The Family would also like to thank Comfort Keepers . You were with our mother 24/7 and never acted like it was just your job. Each of you treated her with dignity, kindness and love. We truly appreciate all of you.  Thank you El Paso Hospice, you came right away when we called, accepted our mother as a patient, and made her last days comfortable, and pain-free so she could leave peacefully without any suffering.  You were a blessing to our mother. We also want to thank Dr. Fernando Raudales, Dr. Chigolum Eze, Dr. Daniel Castro and Texas Oncology for the medical advice, care, treatment and dignity you showed our mother.

 Pallbearers will be John D. Hagan, Lawrence C. Bayer, Lawrence C. Bayer II, Ronald K. Voldahl, Edward J. Shukitt, William C. Shukitt, and Daniel J. Hagan.

 A Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, August 2, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Homes-West, 480 N. Resler Dr. with a Vigil to promptly commence at 6:00pm and a Rosary to follow immediately after. A Mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 10000 Pheasant Rd, El Paso, TX 79924. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes-West, 480 N. Resler Drive.  Please visit her online memorial at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.