Phyllis L. Baethke, 92, of Waterloo, died Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Wellspring Living of Friendship Village Retirement Center in Waterloo.

She was born on October 28, 1930, in Grinnell, daughter of Floyd D. and Leona Dougherty Stover. Phyllis graduated from LeGrand High School then earned her bachelors degree from Iowa State Teacher's College (UNI). She married Carl J. Baethke on July 7, 1953, at the Methodist church in Lime Springs. He preceded her in death on April 19, 1985.

She was an elementary school teacher in Northwood from 1950-1953, and then taught elementary classes for Waterloo Community Schools for 35 years until her retirement in 1991.

Phyllis was a member of Trinity American Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible School and sang in the choir. She also served on various church committees such as Meals on Wheels, the monthly free community diners, designed bulletin boards, and counted the collections taken each Sunday.

Phyllis is survived by two sons, Alan (Pam) Baethke of St. Louis, MO, and Mark (Jill) Baethke of Polk City; six grandchildren, Nathan Baethke, Brandon (Jayme) Baethke, Jason (Kylie) Baethke, Lindsay (Mark) Kottmann, Katie (Spencer) Johnson, and Rachael Baethke; 13 great-grandchildren, Ava, Hudson, Wyatt, Mila, Ryker, Brantley, Uriah, Makaia, Londyn, Tucker, Jaylen, Torin, and Ember; and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Baethke of Riceville.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl Baethke; one son, Gary Baethke; two sisters, Bernice Stover, and Rosemary Helm; brothers, Kenneth Stover, and Lyle Stover, in infancy; two sisters-in-law, Mildred Stover and Delores Baethke; and brothers-in-law, Orville Baethke, and Wilfred "Shorty" Baethke.

Memorial Services: 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Trinity American Lutheran Church, 605 W 4th St., private family inurnment in Garden of Memories Cemetery, both in Waterloo. Visitation for one hour prior to the service at church. Memorials may be directed to the church.

Locke at Tower Park is assisting the family, 4140 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo, 319-233-3146.