Delia Anne Patterson Bernauer, 88, of Ellisville, Missouri, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025. She was born on December 15, 1936, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Bluford Keaton Patterson and Mildred Lucille Joerendt Patterson.

Delia married John Howard Bernauer in Indianapolis on February 5, 1961, and they later divorced. Her greatest joy in life was raising her four children: Terrie Idel (fiancé Bill Roper), Kimberly Calder (husband Angus Calder), Scott Bernauer, and Linda O'Connor (husband Robert O'Connor, Jr.). She was the loving grandmother of Berkley Northnagel (husband Bradley Northnagel), Ryan Idel, Alastair Calder, Elliot Calder, Robert O'Connor III ("Trey"), Tressa O'Connor, and Addison O'Connor, and the cherished great-grandmother of Blair Northnagel, daughter of Berkley and Bradley.

She is survived by her siblings Bob, Jim, Millie, Larry, and Dorothy, and was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Patty, Bette, Mary, Linda, Virginia, Helen, Richard, and Allen.

Delia attended the University of Indiana on a full academic scholarship and became a speech pathologist. Her life was defined by her devotion to her family, her faith, and her love of creativity. She wrote over 2,000 original Christian songs under the label Songs of Dee-Light and produced seven albums, sharing her passion for music with everyone around her. She loved dancing, theater, bowling, bike riding, gardening, watching sports (especially her grandkids) reading, and had a passion for travel. Delia also embraced health and nutrition long before it was widely recognized, teaching the value of whole foods and natural healing. Her warmth, generosity, and caring spirit will leave a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Services: Funeral and memorial service details are to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America: alzfdn.org/donate .

As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.