Clarence C. Bauer, 99, of Brookings, died on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Riverview Healthcare Community, Flandreau.
Clarence was born on July 18, 1919, in Hawkeye, Iowa, the son of William C. and Ella (Senner) Bauer.
At an early age he moved with his family to Wessington Springs. In 1937 the family moved to Ward, where he attended a one room country school house. On January 19, 1942, Clarence, entered the U.S. Army serving in Africa, Italy, France and Germany and was honorably discharged on June 19, 1945.
He began farming in 1946 near Ward and was united in marriage to Evelyn Casjens on February 14, 1947. They farmed north of Elkton. To this union three children were born, Karen, Connie, and Rickey. The family moved to a farm south of Aurora in 1960 where he and Evelyn milked Holstein cows and grain farmed. He retired from farming in 1974 and moved to an acreage south-west of Elkton. He began assisting Martin Dietrich with his farming, retiring in the mid 80’s. Evelyn died on July 23, 1979.
On March 16, 1981, he and Darlene Leinen Berkenpas were united in marriage in Lake Benton, MN and they moved to Brookings. He was a member of the V.F.W. and the Brookings United Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene; children: Karen and Rod Sorensen of Sac City, Iowa, Connie and Ray Langland of Elkton, and Rick and Gay of Aurora; Darlene’s children: Jim and Linda Berkenpas of Verdi, MN, Steve and Fae Berkenpas of Sioux Falls and Lori and Jerry Johnson of Spearfish; 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; two great-great granddaughters; and a sister-in-law: Phyllis Bauer of Flandreau.
Preceding him in death were his parents, William and Ella; wife, Evelyn; brothers, Delbert, Don, and Harold; and sister, Bernice Westcott.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at the Brookings United Church of Christ, with burial in the Elkton City Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 5 – 7 p.m. at the church in Brookings.
For online condolences, visit www.skrochfc.com.
