Mercedes Baethke, 87

May 9, 1930 —

July 23, 2017

 

CRESCO -  Mercedes A. Baethke, age 87, of Cresco, Iowa died July 23, 2017 in Cresco. 

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, where friends may call from 1 p.m. until time of service.

Mercedes Ann Baethke was born on May 9, 1930 on the farm in Winneshiek County, to Myrtle (O’Brien) and H.J. “Dick” Walter.

Upon graduation from high school, she entered Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, (now University of Northern Iowa), and taught elementary school at Grafton Schools in Grafton, Iowa, Lime Springs, Iowa and for the Howard Winneshiek School District until her retirement. She was a tough, no-nonsense teacher!

She married Harlan John Baethke on Dec. 26, 1951, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cresco.   

Mercedes loved to read and was an avid quilter, especially baby quilts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and for the Native American youth on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She thoroughly enjoyed watching Iowa football and basketball.  

Mercedes was an active member at Immanuel, served on committees, belonged to the Rebecca Circle and enjoyed gathering and socializing with the Do-Day quilter’s group.  

She will be missed dearly by her beloved cat, Chloe, who was so faithful and followed her everywhere. 

Mercedes is survived by two sons, Mark (Lisa) Baethke of Zumbrota, Minn. and Brent (Amanda) Baethke of Minneapolis, Minn.; her sister, Helynn Brand of Cresco; three grandchildren, Hiliary (Jason) Burns of Ames, Iowa, Whitney (Mike) Lougheed of Watkins, Minn. and Kyra (Joel) Gifford of Redmond, Wash.; and five great-grandchildren, Madeline, Avery, Garrison, Leona and Henry.  

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Harlan, who died in December 1999.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cresco.