RAPID CITY- Elaine Bauer, 81, Rapid City, SD, died, Sept. 12, 2014 after being cared for by the wonderful people at Fountain Springs Nursing Home following a stroke in February. This was also the day of her 67th wedding anniversary of her marriage to the love of her life, the late Ted Bauer. She was born March 8, 1933 in Midland, South Dakota to Henry M. and Alverna (Polly) Dale. She grew up on a farm in Nowlin and later lived in Piedmont, South Dakota where she attended school. She married Ted Bauer Sept. 12, 1947 in Rapid City, SD and together they had six children. After the children started school, she worked at Hardware Hank for many years and later retired from a long and happy career at Evergreen Office Products. There was no printer cartridge or office supply that she could not find for you. Because we have watched this beautiful woman lay silent for months, we had tears of joy as we surrendered our mother and grandmother into the arms of Jesus. There are not words to sufficiently describe who she was to us and to everyone who knew her. The closest word to describe our mother is "love", unconditional love! Love 1st for her God and Savior Jesus Christ, love for her family, and anyone whose path crossed hers. She never judged others; there was only forgiveness and compassion always, whether you deserved it or asked for it was not a factor, it was freely and gladly given. As we took over her checkbook and bill paying, we realized that most of her meager social security check was given to the poor, the needy, a charity or veterans cause. She said she had all that she needed. We have never heard her complain or say an unkind word about anyone. She loved baseball, football (Broncos!!!!!), Nascar, reading and listening to her morning programs on the radio. Mostly she loved reading sermons sent to her by her church and her Bible and meditations devotional. She loved God all of her life, she loved Him and knew Him from childhood and she never let go of Him and He never let go of her. Her faith was like that of a child, through every trial and storm, and there were many, she never doubted God's love or that he was completely in control. She always had that joy that passeth all understanding that kept her heart and mind focused on him, free from fear. She knew that his love was perfect. In the end, unable to walk, eat, see or barely speak, she boldly stated that Jesus was right there with her, as though to let us know how could it be any other way. After all He promised. It has been a long time since she has been able to eat, except what she received through the tube in her stomach, but she is now sitting at the table Jesus set for her in the place Jesus went to prepare for her. She has always loved Jesus with a strong passion with all her heart, But that Love cannot compare to the Love that Jesus has for her and everyone and the Glory that is being revealed to her now and forever!!!!!! Survivors include six children: one son, Darwin (Wendy) Bauer, Black Hawk; five daughters, Nancy (Byron) Lowery; Jill Haskell; Wendy (Artie) Schwahn; Rayann (Terry) Monson; all of Rapid City; Stacey (Chris) Danford, Shreveport, LA; 16 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; brothers, Bobby (Jackie) Dale, Sturgis; Raymond Dale, Rapid City; Davey (Sandy) Dale, Tilford; two brother in laws; James Martin, Brookings; and Dick Stoll, Piedmont. 16 Grandchildren and 20 Great-Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ted Bauer, and two sisters, Shirley and Ellen. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, at Harvest Community Church, 330 E. Anamosa St. with Rev. Steven Lindsey officiating. Interment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.