Charles Marvin Bauer, 75, Sturgis, died Monday, March 9, 2009 at his residence in Sturgis.

Visitation will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2009 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Rev. Michael Fox officiating. Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to the Grace Lutheran Church.

Charles was born April 10, 1933 at Zeeland, ND, to Reinhard and Pauline (Pfeifer) Bauer.

Charles joined the US Air Force on September 18, 1952. He served his country honorably during the Korean War. He was stationed in Okinawa and Japan. After his discharge he returned to North Dakota.

Charles married Ruth Kramer at Eureka, SD, on April 22, 1956. The couple farmed for several months before moving to Washington where Charles worked for the Boeing corporation. They moved to Hulett, WY, where Charles was employed by the Hauber (Homestake) Uranium Mine. The family moved to Sturgis in 1966 and Charles worked for Homestake at Lead.

In November of 1973 he joined the National Guard and later transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1984, from which he retired in 1993.

He retired as a hoist operator at the Homestake in 1992. After retirement he enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family.

Charles was a member of the Sturgis VFW.

Survivors include his wife Ruth Bauer, Sturgis; sons David (Loray) Bauer, Deadwood, Kevin Bauer, Sturgis, Kelly Bauer, Sturgis; one daughter, Carletta (Randy) Carsten, Helena, MT; daughter in law, Lucy Bauer, Madison, SD; two sisters, Gloria Buchanan, Anaconda, MT, Doris Van Ness, Rock Valley, IA; also 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son Kirby, four brothers and one sister.