Baasch, Pauline L. 1921-2013

BAASCH, STRUVE, WIECK, HOFMANN, COON, SEBBY

Posted By: Ruth - Volunteer
Date: 3/28/2013 at 20:02:16

Pauline L. Baasch age 91 of Clinton passed away Sunday March 3, 2013 at the Alverno Health Care Facility. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Thursday at St. John Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Daniel Pool officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday 10:00 am until the service hour at the church. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the St. John Lutheran Church Radio Mission. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.

Pauline was born on June 11, 1921 in Elk River Township, Iowa, the daughter of Hans and Flossie (Struve) Baasch. She graduated from Lyons High School in 1938 and attended Mt. St. Clare College, Clinton. She received her BA Degree from the University of Iowa. Pauline was a dedicated teacher who loved her students. She began her teaching in country schools, Dewitt schools, and Low Moor Elementary, when in 1948 she was one of two teachers at the school when it burned. They made sure that the 36 students got out of the building which collapsed just minutes after Pauline exited. Most coats, books, and equipment were lost, but all the children and their two teachers escaped unharmed. In 1953 she was assigned to the new Horace Mann Elementary School, where she taught second grade until her retirement in 1983.

Pauline was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, its Mary Martha Circle, and Over 50 Club. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, and a life member of both the American Schleswig-Holstein Heritage Society and the German American Heritage Center. She loved animals especially watching and feeding the birds. A highlight of her life was a trip to Europe in 1956 together with her sister, Georgiana. They were able to meet their German aunt and her family and see where their father had lived before he immigrated to the United States.

Pauline is survived by her sister, Evelyn (Elvis) Wieck of DeWitt; a brother, Edward (Shirley) Baasch of rural Clinton; three nieces, Kathlyn Hofmann of DeWitt, Susan Coon of Clinton, and Debra Sebby of LaFollette, TN; and eight great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Georgiana, a niece, Cheryl Wieck, and an infant nephew.