Alma Emma Bauman

Alma Bauman, age 89, died Sunday afternoon, July 21, 2024 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 5-7 pm at Furness Funeral Home in Clark and one hour prior to funeral services.  The funeral service will be Friday, July 26, 2024, at 10:30 am at the Plymouth Congregational Church of Clark with Pastor Fawn Lamb officiating.  Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery of rural Clark, SD. Alma's service will be live streamed on the Furness Funeral Home Facebook page and may be viewed at the time of service.

Alma Emma Warkenthien was born August 7, 1934, on the farm in rural Willow Lake, SD, to parents Harry and Martha (Waldow) Warkenthien. She was baptized in August 1934 and confirmed in March 1951 at the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church. She graduated from Willow Lake High School in 1952. She then attended General Beadle State College in Madison, SD, to attain her teaching certificate.  Alma then pursued her career in teaching starting in a one room rural school near Willow Lake.

On May 27, 1956, she was united in marriage to Robert Bauman at the Plymouth Congregational Church of Clark. After her marriage, she taught for one more year and then raised their family of four children, DuWayne, Joan, Carol and LeAnn. During this time, she did upholstery in her home. Bob and Alma lived and farmed in Elrod township until 1977.  In the fall of 1977, she was approached by the Lake Area Multi-District Vocational School about filling in as their upholstery teacher until they could obtain a permanent replacement. She remained with them until the program ended in 1998.

Alma was an active member of the Plymouth Congregation Church, a member of the Clark Legion Auxiliary, and the Chattering Chicks Extension Club. In her retirement years, she enjoyed quilting, crafting, sewing, flower gardening and bowling but above all, spending time with her family.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband of over 60 years, Bob, and her sisters, Violet (Walter) Kruse, Fern (John) Loewen and Kathleen (Charles) McHenry, brothers Marvin, Martin, Lyle, Roger, and Donald (Helen) Warkenthien, in-laws, Robert VanderLinden and Helen (Harvey) Smette, and nephews James Warkenthien and Mike Smette.

Grateful for sharing her life are her children, DuWayne (Kim) Bauman of Smithville, MO, Joan (Rod) Steffens of Lenexa, KS, Carol (Scott) Hanson of Owatonna, MN, and LeAnn (Dave) Schneider of Sioux Falls, eight grandchildren, Haley Bauman, Talon Bauman, Theresa (Ryan) Murphy, Jennifer Roecker, David (Jackie) Hanson, Ashley (Peder Laumer) Hanson, Thomas (Sarah) Schneider and Abby Schneider, seven great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Kelsey, Lucas, Kamryn, Nora. Kai and Sadie. She also leaves her twin sister Wilma VanderLinden of Sheldon, IA, sister-in-law Donette Warkenthien of Clark, and several nieces and nephews.

Furness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements and have an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.