Mary Baedke Obituary

Mary Alice Baedke

November 22, 1938 - October 12, 2024

Mary Alice (Blum) Baedke, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, entered eternal life peacefully while surrounded by family on Saturday, October 12, 2024. Mary (along with husband Martin) were former residents of Cedar Falls, IA and moved to Savage, MN to reside with their daughter and son-in-law during the COVID pandemic.

Mary was born at the Spencer Iowa Hospital on November 22, 1938, to Minor Oscar Blum and Bertha M. (Ryon) Blum. She was the youngest of 4 children growing up on the family farm outside of Terril, IA.

After graduating from Terril High School, Mary completed a 2-year Business degree at (AIB) American Institute of Business in Des Moines, IA. For most of her life, Mary worked as a bookkeeper, receptionist, and or secretary. Mary finished her working career as a long-standing part-time receptionist at Vorland Chiropractic and while also working as a part-time receptionist at the Western Home where she was awarded employee of the month at least twice during her 15-year tenure.

Mary Blum met Martin Baedke on a blind date arranged by their good friend Fred Baedke, and they were married shortly after on October 11, 1959. After their marriage, Martin joined the U.S. Army where he and Mary spent over 2 years living at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

After Martin was honorably discharged from military service, Martin and Mary returned to Northwest Iowa where Mary (in addition to working) started their family of 3 children, Bruce, Steven and Barbara. Career changes brought Martin and Mary to the Cedar Falls, IA.

While raising her kids and caring for her family, Mary enjoyed volunteering at their schools, being an active member of the PTA, involved in Boy Scouts, and church activities and church volunteer roles. In her free time, Mary enjoyed doing crafts and quilting while growing flowers and plants.

Preceded in death by parents, Minor and Bertha Blum; husband, Martin Baedke; brother, Robert Blum; brother Richard Blum, and his wife, Ann Blum; brother-in-law, Carl Storey.

Left to Cherish her memory is sister, Julia (Blum) Storey, of Homewood, IL; son, Bruce Baedke, and wife Kerisa, of Des Moines, IA; son, Steve Baedke, and wife, Liz, of Harrisonburg, VA; grand-daughter, Paige Baedke, of Chicago, IL; daughter, Barbara (Baedke) Staebell, and husband, Jason, of Savage, MN; sister in-law, Donna Blum, of Milford, IA; sister in-law, Sandra Lehrer, of Gainesville, FL; other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 25, 2024, at the First English Lutheran Church in Spencer, IA.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the First English Lutheran Church in Spencer, IA.

Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Terril, IA.