Baethke, LeRoy Frank 1924 - 2012
BAETHKE, TIMM, CRAFT, RAGLAND, GESELL, HOVE, FULLER, RUCKER, SUMNER, SEATON, DANIELS
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/17/2013 at 14:25:59
LeRoy Frank Baethke, 88, died on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at the Cresco Care Center. LeRoy was born on January 16, 1924 in Guernsey, IA to Ernest and Marie (Timm) Baethke. He served in U.S. Army for two years as a prison guard in Japan. He married Marie Craft in 1945. Together they had six daughters and farmed together for many happy years until 1989 when they moved to Cresco. LeRoy and Marie recently celebrated their 67th anniversary. Over the years, his favorite pastime was playing cards with his friends and family. As a longtime member of the Orleans Lutheran Church, he served on the Council for many years and as President. He was also very active in the VFW, serving as commander of the Cresco Post. He enjoyed walking in the parades and serving turkey dinners and pancake breakfasts with his fellow veterans. Farming was a passion for LeRoy. After he entered the Cresco Care Center, he always wished he could get back to the farm. He enjoyed watching Marie cook and even helped once in a while by cooking steaks on the grill or baking some cookies. LeRoy is survived by his loving wife Marie of 67 years, his daughters Linda (Mike) Ragland, from Ridgeway, and Karen (Dale) Gesell, from Ridgeway, Marsha, and Amy (John Hove), from Cresco, son-in-law, Tim Fuller, of Vacaville, CA, a sister, Verda Rucker, from Decorah, grandchildren, Elizabeth Sumner, Joe (Candi) Fuller, Amber (Brad) Seaton, Corey and Josh Gesell, Michelle (Chris) Daniels, Martha, and Matt Ragland, and great-children Emily, Christian, Brighton, Carter, Cale, Sam, and one on the way, along with many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Marie, his brother Harold, daughters Elaine Baethke and Lois Fuller, many brother and sister in laws and a nephew, Gordon Baethke.
Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, December 2 at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, IA, and also one hour prior to services at the church.
Funeral service will be held on Monday, December 3, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Orleans Lutheran Church in rural Cresco, IA.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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