Sharon R. Bauer

Our Sharon quietly slipped from our midst on Sunday, November 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family snuggled in her own comfortable bed. It was the unexpected heartbreaking pancreatic cancer diagnosis just a few months prior, as Sharon was already a 34 year breast cancer survivor. Her goal was to greet her 3rd great grandchild due in January. It was not to be.

Sharon Rose Carpenter was born August 2, 1946, to Ambrose and Stella (Uhlir) Carpenter. She graduated with the Bethlehem Academy class of 1965. Proud of the fact she paid her own way through. She was united in marriage to Dean A. Bauer on April 8, 1967, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They were proud parents to their three children Deanna, Karen, and Ryan.

Aside from her teen years as a car hop at Lavender Inn, she worked at Security National Bank, First Northwestern Bank and followed with many years at 1st United Bank fka Faribault Federal Savings and Loan.

They enjoyed many years of camping, fishing, and traveling south to escape the cold winters. Sharon even joined Dean with his passion for deer hunting. She said, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Well, she shot her first deer and quickly decided it to be her last. She also joined her four remaining siblings as they ventured out on their annual “siblings only” camping trips. Love at its core, with many mishaps, adventures and shenanigans were left around the glow of the campfires.

A wonderful cook, baker, canner, and Christmas candy maker extraordinaire that she shared with many happy recipients. And then there was her beloved card club of ladies she shared life with through all life’s chapters. A wonderful mother, a loyal wife and life partner to Dean and loving grandmother and great grandmother. She possessed an inimitable spark, a snappy wit with a “tongue in cheek” always with a sly wink.

Words will never convey what will be her absence in our lives. May we honor her life with our good memories of the past. And keep alive in our hearts all the love and heartfelt moments that made her so absolutely, uniquely wonderful.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Dean Bauer; three children, Deanna Bauer (Michael Selly), Karen (Michael) Bussert, and Ryan (Tami) Bauer; five grandchildren, Nicole (Adam) Stuhr, Hannah (Blake) Westphal, Samuel Trahan, Riley Bauer, and Abigail Bauer; two great grandsons, Wyatt Stuhr and Booker Westphal, and a great granddaughter on the way; three siblings, Francis (Jeanette) Carpenter, Ronald (Sue) Carpenter, and Marian (James) Langeslag; brothers and sisters in-law, Lois Wakefield, Ray Bauer Sr (Barb), JoAnn (Ray) Schulz, Russell (Donna) Bauer, Kathleen (Richard) Cap, Larry (Rene) Bauer, Steven (Jamie) Bauer and Susan Johnson and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ambrose and Stella; two brothers, Ambrose Jr. and Ralph Carpenter, father and mother-in-law, Alvin and Mabel Bauer, brothers and sisters in law, William (Pat) Duncan and Dennis Johnson.

Our lives are much like a song. It’s beginning, the first measure, its end a defining decrescendo. But there in its middle, the melodious rhythm resides playing out high and low. Making the experience of it so exquisitely and wonderfully worthwhile.

Till we laugh with you again.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault with Fr. Alex Marquette officiating. Interment will be held at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Bethlehem Academy in memory of Sharon.