Melanie Bauer, 65, passed away peacefully on July, 28 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00pm, Friday, August 1, 2025 at Feigum Funeral Home in Pierre. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, August 2, 2025 at the Harrold Gymnasium with interment following at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Harrold.
Born on November 10, 1959, to Gordon and Shirley Keller, she graduated from Harrold High School in 1978 and later that year married the love of her life, Robert Bauer.
Melanie worked for the State of South Dakota and at the Harrold School, where she wore many hats—including drill team instructor, cheerleading coach, bus driver, and dependable helper in every capacity. She poured her heart into her community and into the lives of the students. She later enjoyed serving and visiting with everyone at the Stables Bar in Harrold.
She and Bob shared a love for adventure, traveling together to 18 states on their motorcycle and enjoying many winters snowmobiling in the Black Hills. She also enjoyed welcoming friends and family to their cabin in Custer. Melanie loved farm life, especially mowing the lawn—a task she famously declared only she could do correctly. Heaven help anyone who dared climb on her mower! Melanie was the heart of her family — a proud mother and doting grandmother. Melanie also loved karaoke nights, attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and simply spending time with family and friends.
Melanie is survived by her husband, Robert, and their five children: Paula (Chad) Hall of Liberty, MO; Quinton (Rebecca) Bauer of Verona, MO; Heather Bauer of Overland Park, KS; Christopher Bauer of Sioux Falls, SD; and Chrystal (Sam) Koenecke of Pierre, SD. Her greatest joy came from her grandchildren: Gabriel Mason, Emma Walsh, Paige Bauer, Brennan Bauer, Paris Bauer, Ava Nelson, Ella Nelson, and Aspyn Koenecke, Great-Grandchildren Owen and Ella Mason – whose lives she celebrated and supported—especially at their sporting events, where she was often their biggest cheerleader. John Onken and Sylvia Quintana were proudly known as Mel’s “bonus kids,” and she followed their lives with love and pride. She is also survived by her mother and stepfather, Shirley and Don Sandal of Ft. Pierre, SD; her brother Terry Keller of Pierre, SD; and her sister Debbie Schley of St. Peters, MO, brother-in-law Jack (Carrie) Bauer and sisters-in-law Joelle Bauer and Jane Keller along with many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Gordon Keller; brothers Doug, David, and Jimmy Keller; sister Judy Bauer; father-in-law August Bauer; mother-in-law Vivian Bauer; brothers-in-law Dennis Bauer, Dan Schley, and Mike McDevitt; and sisters-in-law Donna McDevitt and Joyce Keller.
Melanie’s presence was larger than life, and her memory will continue to shine in the hearts of those she loved.
