Carol J. Bauer died at Box Butte General Hospital on October 18, 2021. She was born February 6, 1948, to Bruce and Dorothy (Barth) Hooper at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Alliance, Nebraska.
Carol grew up on the Hooper family ranch and attended one-room country schools in Districts 145 and 100. Carol graduated from Alliance High School in 1966.
Carol married Richard Bauer in 1997. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Bauer, her parents and grandparents, Mark and Lucile Hooper and Walter and Olga Barth.
Carol worked as a registered nurse for many years after receiving her Diploma RN from Lincoln General Hospital School of Nursing in 1969 and her BSN from the University of Nebraska in 1982. She worked in the hospital in Alamosa, Colorado, and Box Butte General Hospital. Carol was the head of Home Health in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, for many years. She earned her national certification in Wound, Ostomy and Continence after studying at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2005, before retiring in 2012. Because of her training and talent she was honored to be chosen outstanding nurse of Nebraska.
Carol was an expert seamstress, quilter and knitter, completing many projects for family and friends. She was especially appreciated as “aunt” in her generosity in making baby booties, blankets, hats and quilts for her niece and nephews. She sewed quilts to honor veterans for Quilts of Valor and spent many hours riding her motorcycle with the Legion Riders. Carol was honored to receive the American Eagle Award from Legion Post 7 for her service to veterans.
She was a world traveler and will be remembered for her zest for life and her adventurous spirit, always ready to try new experiences. Her participation in the Ladies Panhandle Golf Club was especially meaningful for her.
She will be missed by so many people, especially her family: Daughter, Matisha (Andrew) Stratton; sisters, Sally (Larry) Mannlein and Nancy (Kutch) Kutchara, brothers, Brian Hooper and Sid (Susan) Hooper; niece and nephews, Jordan Hooper, Kyle Hooper, Mark Hooper, Ryan Hooper, Brent Mannlein and Eric (Erica) Mannlein; granddaughters, Adrienne Stratton and Bethany Stratton, as well as her great nieces and nephews, Audrey, Gabriele, Olivia, Ava, Sawyer and Hunter.
Carol’s funeral will be October 25, 2021, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alliance at 2090 Emerson at 10 a.m. Inurnment will be in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Legion Riders, the Veterans State Cemetery at Alliance Foundation or Quilts of Valor c/o Matisha Stratton, 7114 N 142nd Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska 68142.
Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.