RAPID CITY- Lawrence "Larry" Albert Bauer passed away January 23, 2011 in Sioux Falls, SD.

He was born October 2, 1919 in Hanover, KS to Frederick and Lola Bauer. He graduated from Waterville High School and Sweeney Aviation School in Wichita, KS and was a certified Army and Navy welder. In WWII he earned the rank of Lieutenant in the Naval Air Command, flying PBY's and R4D's in the South Pacific, always maintaining that God was his co-pilot. He married Ruth Slupianek on January 2, 1946. They had one daughter, Cathy. Larry was a farmer, rancher, and contractor but his talent was finish carpentry. His favorite project was building churches located in Ainsworth, NE, Billings, MT, Seattle and Tacoma, WA. Larry lived in Valley Falls, KS, Witten, Colome, Rapid City and Harrisburg, SD where he was active in the Baptist Churches. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the VFW.

Larry is survived by his wife Ruth, daughter Cathy Koch, Rapid City; grandchildren Amy (Fred) Preator, Carrie (Mark) Schmidt and Scott Koch; four greatgrandchildren Allison and Macy Preator, William and Etta Schmidt.

A celebration of Larrys life will be 10 AM, Friday, January 28th, 2011 with visitation one hour prior to services at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Interment will be at 2:30 PM Friday, January 28, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota National Guard providing military honors.

A memorial has been established.