BAETHKE, Wilfred “Shorty” 1929-2016
BAETHKE, STOVER, SCHWAKE
Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 6/1/2017 at 15:31:00
US VETERAN
November 17, 1929 - August 7, 2016
Visitation:
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories
Waterloo, IA 50701Funeral Service:
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Trinity American Lutheran Church
605 W. 4th Street
Waterloo, IA 50702Burial:
Garden of Memories,
Waterloo, IA 50703Luncheon:
Immediately following burial in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity American Lutheran Church.Wilfred “Shorty” Edwin Baethke was born November 17, 1929, in Elma, Iowa, son of Charles and Amanda (Schwake) Baethke. He graduated from Riceville High School in 1949 and went to work for Rath Packing Plant in Waterloo.
Shorty served in the United States Army from 1951 – 1954 during which time he was stationed in Germany. After he was honorably discharged he returned to Waterloo to work for Rath for 38 years. Shorty met Delores Wittenburg at the Rivera Ballroom in Janesville and they were united in marriage on August 11, 1979. Their two families became one. Shorty enjoyed quilting, repairing old sewing machines, dancing, fishing but most of all spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his wonderful fried fish!
Shorty passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2016, at home at the age of 86 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Carl Baethke and Orville Baethke; and one sister, Mildred Stover.
Shorty is survived by his wife of 37 years, Delores; two sons, Ed (Sue) Baethke of Waterloo and Scott (Sherilyn) Kistner of Reinbeck; five daughters: Karen (Dwayne) Baethke-Eilers of Waterloo; Lori (Jeff) Gerbasi of Arizona; Sheila (Russ) Brustkern of Readlyn; Judy Smith of North Carolina and Michelle (Grant) Chilcote of Waterloo; 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; with one more to arrive later this year; and by two sisters-in-law, Phyllis Baethke and Dorothy Baethke.
Memorials may be directed to Trinity American Lutheran Church or Cedar Valley Hospice.
Source: Parrott and Wood Funeral Home website
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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