Marie Baethke, 90

Feb. 3, 1927 —

March 14, 2017

 

Cresco -  Marie Baethke, age 90, of Cresco, Iowa died Tuesday morning, March 14, 2017 at Hawkeye Care Center. 

Funeral services were March 17 at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, followed by burial in Orleans Lutheran Cemetery, rural Cresco. 

Marie was born Feb. 3, 1927 in Howard County, Iowa to Ward and Cora (Sebastian) Craft. She graduated from Cresco High School. 

On Oct. 30, 1945, Marie married LeRoy Baethke. Together they had six daughters and farmed together for many happy years, until 1989 when they moved to Cresco. As a longtime member of the Orleans Lutheran Church, Marie served on many of its organizations and circles. 

Over the years her favorite pastime was playing cards with her friends and family. She also enjoyed going to dances at Maple Leaf and the Skyline. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 Marie is survived by four daughters, Linda (Mike) Ragland of Ridgeway, Iowa, Karen (Dale) Gesell of Ridgeway, Marsha (Keith) Emerson of Osage, Iowa and Amy and friend Ron Nisbit (and his son Carter) of Cresco; a son-in-law, Tim Fuller, of Vacaville, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Sumner, Joe (Candi) Fuller, Amber (Brad) Seaton, Corey (and friend Melissa) and Josh Gesell, Michelle (Chris) Daniels, Martha (and friend John Helgeson) and Matt (Deepa) Ragland; and eight great-grandchildren, Emily, Christian, Brighton, Carter, Cale, Sam, Mackenzie and Aubrey Jo; a brother, Ray Craft of Waterloo, Iowa; and two sisters-in-law, Doris Craft of Waterloo and Verda Rucker of Decorah, Iowa; along with many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ward and Cora; her husband, LeRoy; two daughters, Elaine Baethke and Lois Fuller; four brothers, Urban, Harold, Kenneth and Harley; and two sisters, Dorothy and Goldie.