Carol Vilhauer
Dates
May 17, 1955 - January 27, 2024Obituary
Carol Vilhauer, 68, of Mitchell, SD, died peacefully under hospice care Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell following a long journey of health issues. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, February 2, at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a visitation one hour prior to the funeral service. Private burial will be in Parkston Protestant Cemetery in Parkston, SD.
Carol Jane Vilhauer was born May 17, 1955 in Mitchell, SD to Frederick and Thelma (Tilberg) Erpenbach. She grew up in Mitchell along with her four brothers, Jim, Chuck, Dean, and Steve. After graduating from high school at Mitchell High School in 1973, Carol married Dennis Vearrier. They had four children and moved around the country briefly before settling back in Mitchell. Carol became a single parent in 1990 and enjoyed living near her mother, Thelma, to help raise her children. Carol was a wonderful mother. She found love again when she met David Vilhauer. They dated for several years, then married on August 2, 2003.
She enjoyed traveling and visited California, Las Vegas, St. Louis, and the Black Hills area many times. She had a tremendous dedication to everyone she loved, worked multiple jobs at times, and enjoyed her lifelong dream of owning her own store, Just a Dollar. She enjoyed visits and conversations with family and friends and always gave more than she received. She enjoyed spending time with family, gardening, crafts, and finding antique treasures. She lived with a full cup of blessings, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her four children: Scott (Kim) Vearrier of Mitchell, Tracy Vearrier of Bismarck, ND, Jennifer Weaver of Mitchell, and Sarah (Jason) Meusburger of Buffalo, MN; 12 grandchildren: Bailey Vearrier, Alexia Vearrier, Cayden Weaver, Devon Weaver, Tyler Mathern, Ava Vearrier, Lily Vearrier, Gabe Meusburger, Ellie Meusburger, Samuel Meusburger, Mikala Wendel, and Cortney Wendel; two great-grandchildren: McKenzie and Dawson Wendel; two step-children: Michelle Vilhauer of Sioux Falls and Jennifer (Steve) Lees of Jamestown, PA; five step-grandchildren: Taryn Harvey, Erica Vilhauer, Hunter Lees, and Brooke Lees; four step-great grandchildren; two brothers: Chuck (Val) Erpenbach of Lake Saint Louis, MO and Steve (Michelle) Erpenbach of Sioux Falls, SD; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dave Vilhauer; her parents, Thelma and Fred Erpenbach; two brothers, Dean Erpenbach and James Erpenbach; and granddaughter, Paige Vearrier.
Visitation(s)
Friday, February 2, 2024
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Bittner Funeral Chapel
805 W Havens Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
Service
Friday, February 2, 2024
10:30 AM
Bittner Funeral Chapel
805 W Havens Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
Cemetery
Parkston Protestant CemeteryParkston, SD
Very sad to hear of your mom's passing. Dad and I talked about her on Sunday. It was a pleasure working with her at Randall's. She helped show me the ropes as it was my first gig and taught me how to bag properly. It always had to be eggs and bread in paper ONLY as she reminded me. The customers loved her attention to detail with their orders and she was never wrong about those bagging techniques. She would even say, Aaron put that in the cart first so you don't smash the customers stuff.
I'll never forget her always gestering for me to come to her lane with her finger and she stated frequently....Aaron you bag here and told the other baggers to go away. She said I was the only one who could bag and she dreaded it when I wasn't there. When I got promoted to a cashier she said, and I quote "Oh , great now I have to teach someone new how to bag and they won't listen and will screw it up." Your mom was hilarious and it was such a fun memory that family and I laughed at that I forgotten about until I heard the news. May you all be surrounded by great memories of Carol. It truly was a pleasure getting to know her at Randalls. My thoughts are with you all during this sad time.