- James A. "Jim" Baeten, 79, and lifelong De Pere resident, passed away Tuesday morning Feb. 24, 2004, at Fairfield Elder Home. He was born Feb. 25, 1924, in De Pere to the late George and Sophia (Jacobs) Baeten. Jim graduated from Nicolet High School in 1942. Upon graduation he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp. and served his country as a Bombardier instructor. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and enrolled in St. Norbert College and graduated in 1951. Jim recently was presented with the "Golden Knight" plaque and pin. On Thanksgiving Day 1951, he was united in marriage to Betty Mae Knuth at St. Joseph's Abbey. Jim taught for one year at West De Pere High School where he also coached football and basketball. He then took a job with the Brown Co. Highway Dept. and did a little bit of everything until he became the purchaser for the Highway Dept. Jim retired in 1984 and moved to his home in Wausaukee. He was active in the community such as President of the PTA at St. Francis Parish School, Past Grand Knight of Abbott Pennings Council 3955 of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Wausaukee Lions. Jim loved to bowl and experience the outdoors whether it be fishing, hunting, golfing, or tending to his vegetable garden.
Survivors include his son James R. (Kathryn) Baeten, Mountain; his four grandchildren, Jason Baeten, Melissa Baeten, Angela (Keith) Cornette, and Brent Baeten. three great-grandchildren, Morgan, Montgomery, and Mitchell Co rnette. His brothers further survive, Edwin (Winona) Baeten, Destin, Fla ., Richard (Elaine) Baeten, Silver Cliff, and Ralph (Dolores) Baeten, De Pere. Two sisters in law Bertha Kazmiercak, De Pere, and LaVerne "Butch" Baeten, Ohio. Many nieces and nephews further survive him.
He was preceded in death by his wife Betty in 1992, and his son Jeffrey in 2002. Jim's brothers Donald and Gerald also preceded him in death.
Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the RYAN FUNERAL HOME De Pere with a Knights of Columbus prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue after 9 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Chu rch De Pere until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. with Jim's cous in Fr. Gilbert Jacobs, O. Praem, officiating.
The family would like to thank the staff at Fairfield Elder Home, especially Donna, for the love and kindness shown to our Father/Grandfather. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ryanfh.com.
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1924 - 2004 (79 years)
Obituary
