Frank Bauer

Frank Bauer, 85, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Frank's wishes were to be cremated, and a Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Schriver's Memorial Fellowship Center, officiated by Avera Chaplain Tina Opdahl.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s website following the service.

Frank Bauer was born on June 18, 1940, to Mike and Ann (Reinbold) Bauer in Strasburg, ND. The family later moved to Aberdeen in 1952.

Frank attended Aberdeen Central High School and graduated in 1958. He joined the United States Army and was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington for basic training before being deployed to Vietnam. After returning from serving in the Vietnam War, Frank finished his tour in Texas and was honorably discharged.

Upon returning to the States, he stayed with his brother Jim in Aberdeen and worked at the White Cross Cleaners, where he met Lana Fealy. They were united in marriage on June 13, 1964, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen, SD.

Shortly after getting married, Frank started working for the United States Postal Service as a mail clerk. He worked there for 33 years until he accepted early retirement at age 52.

As a side job, he tied fishing tackle from 1968 until 2024. At first, he ran the business out of the basement of his house, but later, he had a shop in Akaska, SD, where they moved in 1991.

When his health began failing, they moved back to Aberdeen to be closer to medical care. Frank was an avid hunter, loved to fish, and sell tackle where he made numerous lifelong friends.

Grateful for having shared Frank’s life are his wife of 60 years, Lana; children: Brian (Kim) Bauer of Turtle Lake, WI, Carol (Randy) Sanders of Paoli, IN, and Robert (Danyel) Bauer of Helena, MT. Frank also had seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren that he loved dearly. Also surviving Frank are one sister, Peggy Betsch; and four brothers, Joe Bauer, Walter (Debbie) Bauer, Mike Jr. (Barbara) Bauer, and Donald Bauer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Jim, and one sister-in-law, Virginia Bauer.