Cover photo for Sandra L. Gauer's Obituary
Sandra L. Gauer Profile Photo
1946 Sandra 2025

Sandra L. Gauer

September 24, 1946 — July 29, 2025

Sandra Gauer, age 78, of Crawford, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 5, at Canaan Baptist Church, ten miles west of Crawford, with Pastors Ron Miller and Jim Keever officiating. Burial will follow at Canaan Baptist Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday, August 4, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco.

Sandra was born on September 24, 1946, to Kenneth Morris and Vada (Van Liew) Morris in Lampasas, Texas. Since her father was in the military, the family moved several times during her school-age years. She graduated from McGregor High School in 1965. She met Jerry Gauer in the spring of 1965, and after dating for several months, he proposed to her on her birthday that same year. They were married on February 26, 1966, in Gatesville, Texas, and built their home in the Prairie Chapel community west of Crawford, where they would live for the next 59+ years. To this marriage, two sons were born: Rick Gauer and Russell Gauer.

Sandra loved living in the country and watching birds at her bird feeders, admiring the crepe myrtles around her house, and watching calves and other animals running through the pastures. She loved the history and land in her community. Serving on the board of the historic Prairie Chapel School Association in her community for many years brought her great satisfaction.

In the early 1970s, Sandra began a nursing career that she would enjoy for the next 30 years until her retirement. She worked as an LVN and later as an RN at Hillcrest Hospital, the American Red Cross, home healthcare, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. She loved caring for others and made lifelong friends with her co-workers.

After retirement, Sandra’s new hobby of photography and scrapbooking became her passion. Her family has mountains of photos and meticulous and ornate scrapbooks to enjoy the memories for years to come. Sandra would devote hours to designing pages in the scrapbooks until they were just as she wanted them.

Sandra was an ardent supporter of her husband, two sons, and daughter-in-law in their activities throughout life, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandson. Nothing made her happier later in life than seeing and hearing about her grandchildren and great-grandson.

Sandra became a member of Canaan Baptist Church shortly after her marriage and would serve the Lord and church in many areas during her life—as custodian, Sunday School teacher, social committee member, church clerk, and through involvement in various women’s groups and retreats for as long as her health permitted.

Over the last twenty years, health complications began to emerge, and she faced these issues with faith, resolve, and will, overcoming them many times. Her faith in Christ helped her through the journey and was very evident in her last days. She fought the good fight and finished the race.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth (1989) and Vada (2005) Morris, and by her in-laws, Walter (1991) and Minnie (2011) Gauer.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jerry Gauer of Crawford; son Rick Gauer of Crawford; son Russell and daughter-in-law Jennifer Gauer of Whitney; granddaughter Jaedyn and husband Hunter Burkett of Whitney; grandson Peyton Gauer of Whitney; and great-grandson Grey Burkett of Whitney; as well as many cousins and friends.

Pallbearers will be Michael Bohne, Dan Henson, Steve Gauer, Gene Miller, Wayne Weber, and David Westerfeld.

The family extends its thanks to Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest in Waco, Ascension Providence in Waco, Goodall-Witcher Clinic and Hospital in Clifton, and Hillside Medical Lodge in Gatesville for the care and support they provided over the past three years. The family also thanks neighbor Judy Sisk and her family for their dedicated help and care for Mom during this same time.

For those desiring, the family suggests memorials be made to the Canaan Baptist Cemetery Association, c/o Donna Grimestad, P.O. Box 664, Hewitt, TX 76643, or to the charity of your choice.

We invite you to leave a message to the family or a memory of Sandra in her “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sandra L. Gauer, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Upcoming Services

Visitation

Monday, August 4, 2025

6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

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Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home

6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco, TX 76710

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Funeral Service

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

11:00am - 12:00 pm (Central time)

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Interment

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

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Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery

177 Coryell City Road, Crawford, TX 76638

Following the funeral service at 11:00 am

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