Carol Jean Bauer, 71, Aberdeen, died Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at her home in Aberdeen. Carol Jean Wehnes was born on December 22, 1936 at Hot Springs, SD to Henry and Lela (Smith) Wehnes. She lived on the family farm in Oral, SD. At a young age she moved to Rapid City where she attended school. Carol graduated from Rapid City Central with the Class of 1955. Carol married her high school sweetheart, Gene Bauer, in 1956. After marrying Gene, she attended the National College of Business, graduating with her Bookkeeping degree. Together they made their home in Rapid City and raised four children, when Gene passed away in 1988, Carol continued to work as a bookkeeper at the Rapid City Regional Senior Center, until 2003 when she moved to Aberdeen. In 2006, Carol was baptized at the Aberdeen Wesleyan Church. She was a life long member of First Wesleyan Church. She loved making cards, stamping, gardening, and cake decorating. Carol shared her life with her sons, Curtis Bauer, Rapid City, Kevin (Connie) Bauer, Laurel, MD; Scot Bauer, Florence, CO; daughter, Sheryl (Ross) Santjer, Aberdeen; and grandchildren, Casey Reihe, Gene and Kyle Bauer, Dustin and Mikayla Santjer; sisters, Jeneta Carlson, MN; Arlene Rombolz, WA; Lena Greer, CO; JoAnn Moya, CA; and Henrietta Leggett, TX. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Melvin Wehnes; sisters, Ruby Peters; Nona Mae Feiock; Cleo Arriola; Marietta Black; and Pauline Esmay.