Earl J Baeten

Born November 2, 1935, son of John and Catherine Baeten of De Pere, Wisconsin, Earl was raised on a dairy farm but took his first paying job working for De Pere Greenhouse at 16 years old. He graduated from West De Pere High School and entered the Army at age 18, serving in Austria and Germany rebuilding communications after the war. He met his wife of 59 years, Shirley Recker, back in the states, in Florence, KY while working as a lineman building the modern telephone system. He then began working at his father-in-law’s business, Recker Linoleum, a floor covering company and after Frank Reckers passing began Baeten Floor Covering which is still run by his son Tim. At age 50 he began to accomplish his lifelong dream to grow flowers and work at a greenhouse as he did at his first job. He began and built Baeten’s Nursery and Greenhouse while still operating the flooring business. He opened the business April 8, 1990 where he enjoyed working with his kids, grandkids and making countless friends along the way. Earl was a member of St. Pius X Church, past member of the Southern Gateway Chorus. He was a cofounding member of the Marmil Circle Camping Gang and a member of The Honor Flight October 2017.
Earl is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Recker Baeten; children, Todd Baeten (Maria), Tim Baeten (Melissa), Sandy Krebs, Jeff Baeten (Jill) and John Baeten (Kelly); siblings, Blanche Sigl, Ellie Teresinski and Larry Baeten; 11 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother, Fr. Lambert Baeten.  

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at St. Pius X Church in Edgewood, KY from 10 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial begins at 12 noon. Interment will immediately follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell. Memorial contributions are suggested to Wounded Warrior Foundation PO Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675 and/or Smile Train PO Box 96231 Washington D.C. 20090 and/or Food for the Poor 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073. Online condolences can be left at www.middendorf-funeralhome.com