Dorothy Rae Bauske

Dorothy Rae Bauske, age 96, of Flandreau, South Dakota, passed away on September 26, 2026, at Riverview Healthcare Center in Flandreau. As per Dorothy’s wishes, no services will be held.

Dorothy Rae Bauske was born on November 21, 1929 to Adelbert and Hilda (Turk) Arentz in Cicero IL. She grew up in Jamestown, North Dakota, graduated from Jamestown High School and met her future husband Murriel (Mert) Bauske. The couple was married on September 18, 1948.

Dorothy moved to Jennings, LA because of Mert’s job as circulation manager for a corporation. While living there they welcomed son Reg Bauske on October 19, 1949. The couple then moved to Danville, Kentucky where they welcomed daughter Cathe Rae on February 4, 1952. Mert’s employment then took them to Antigo, Wisconsin and Spencer, IA . Community leaders in Flandreau heard the couple was planning to start a shopper called the Booster so Mick Ramsdell asked them to consider moving to Flandreau because he and others saw a need for it.

The first Booster was published on May 11, 1955. It was sold to Reg and Gloria Bauske in 1986. The couple then spent summers at the Lake Poinsett cabin and winters in Yuma, AZ.

After Mert’s death December 31, 2001 Dorothy returned to Flandreau and rekindled old friendships and made several new ones. Dorothy was an artist that worked with oils, pastels, charcoals, crocheted and made a mean chicken dumpling soup. She was a active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Avera/Flandreau Hospital Auxiliary, Athena Literary, bridge. She played Mahjong with friends until a few weeks prior to her passing. She also drove until March, 2026 and lived independently in her home until April, 2026 when her health began to decline.

Grateful for having shared her life are son Reg (Gloria) Bauske, Flandreau, daughter Cathe Rae (Art) Walton, Yuma, AZ; Foster son Terry Dean Bothern, Empire, Colorado, four grandchildren, Buck (Sarah) Bauske, Sioux Falls; Bart (Jennie) Bauske, Brandon; Eric (Kelly) Walker, Yuma, AZ; Crystal (Doug) Ninas, Gillette, WY; Great grandsons Blake and Charlie Walker, Masen Maurer, Greyson and River Bauske, great granddaughters Madisen Maurer, Pepper and Kit Bauske; Great Great Granddaughter Skyla Maurer.

Dorothy was preceded in death by husband Murriel (Mert) Bauske, parents Adelbert and Hilda (Turk) Arentz. Son-in-laws Charles Walker and Danny Thomas, her daughter’s late husbands.