Erna Bauer, age 90, of Wessington Springs died Tuesday morning June 8, 2010 at the Weskota Manor/Avera Health. Funeral services were held Thursday June 10 at the United Church of Christ in Wessington Springs with Pastor Sara Olson Dean officiating. Burial was in Rest Haven Cemetery at Alpena, SD. Erna Bauer was born on July 21, 1919 to Adam and Sophie (Dietrich) Wahl near Alpena, SD. She was baptized and confirmed in the Ebenezer Evangelical and Reformed Church in Alpena, SD. Erna attended Alpena Public Schools and graduated from there in 1938. On August 10, 1940 she was married to Reuben Bauer in Worthington, MN. They lived in Wolsey, SD until 1946 when they moved to a farm in Buffalo County living there until 1980 when they retired and moved into Wessington Springs. Reuben passed away on October 17, 2002. Erna belonged to the United Church of Christ in Wessington Springs and was active in all aspects of the church. She belonged to Circle 2 and served as Fellowship Chairman. For many years she taught the youth of the church in Sunday school and confirmation. Placerville Camp was a special interest of hers, and she volunteered her time as a camp counselor for several summers. While on the farm Erna was a member of the Buffalo Gals Extension Club and the Garden Club. She had an amazing green thumb and always had beautiful flowers and productive vegetable gardens even in the challenging South Dakota soil. She enjoyed spending time on crafts – doing ceramics, painting pictures and sewing at neighborhood quilting bees. Cooking for family and friends was her specialty. Erna’s life centered around her family – her husband, children, grandchildren, sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is survived by her three children, Gene Bauer and his wife Susan of Northfield, MN, Susan Kohls and her husband Gus of Slayton, MN. and Steve Bauer of Custer, SD; four grandchildren, Gus Andrew Kohls, Lane Kohls, Gina Hall, and Carola Bauer; two sisters Lillian Kludt and Elizabeth Teveldal and her husband Olaf all of Wessington Springs, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Reuben, and two daughters, Mary Louise Bauer and Lois Dambres.