Mary Elizabeth Baux
June 17, 1925 — August 21, 2020
Mary Elizabeth (Kennedy) Baux was born June 17, 1925, in Marion County, Iowa, the beloved daughter of Harold and Louise (Whitlatch) Kennedy. As an only child, Mary spent most of her time on the farm, often with her Dad who taught her many things including how to shoot a rifle. She honed that skill by shooting pears off of a pear tree. She never successfully conquered riding a bicycle, but did learn to ice skate – though only backward. Mary graduated from Attica High School in the Class of 1942. She later married Bill Baux who passed away October 21, 1962.
After high school, Mary spent that first summer filling in for people on vacation at the Marion County Courthouse, and afterward held jobs at Dickerson’s Produce, The Credit Bureau, and Hersbergen’s Jewelry. Mary returned to the Courthouse in 1956 as Deputy Treasurer and then, beginning in 1979, she ran successfully for four terms as Marion County Treasurer until retiring in 1993. She never lost touch with her courthouse friends.
Mary enjoyed such great lifelong friendships, including daily conversations and occasional bus trips with her dear friend Cathy Husted. There were also some famous trips with a great group of friends, including Halene King and Betty Pearson, to Elvis impersonator competitions. And for years, every Wednesday night, Mary and Shirley Sims carpooled to bowling league in Knoxville. In retirement, she became quite skilled at ceramics, and loved to test herself with quiz shows on television – unless there was a Cyclones or Royals game on. Virtually every year from childhood until only recently, you’d find Mary camping at the Iowa State Fair.
Even as a working mom, Mary never missed her daughters’ school activities, and was a vocal fan, having herself played six-on-six basketball. And for years, every Saturday night, Mary took her two girls to the Knoxville races. Once her father died at the age of 60 and she and her mom moved off the farm, mother and daughter became a team, both working women until her mother retired at age 83, not long before she died at age 85. Once grown, mother and daughters took an annual trip to Florida. When her granddaughter could join these annual beach trips, the Three Musketeers became the Four Musketeers. Mary cherished her family, especially when she could spend time with her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
Mary passed away on August 21, 2020, at Knoxville Hospital at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law, Fern Olson. Those left to miss her and cherish her memory include two daughters, Linda Steen (Bob), Lori Baux (David), three grandchildren David Steen (Saira), Ryan Steen (Angie), Melissa Steen (Alison), and six great-grandchildren – Maddy, Ashlyn, Carly, Sully, Katie and Brady. Mary is also loved and missed by her nephews Jim Olson (Toni) and Jon Olson (Cindy).
If you have a memory or story about Mary, the family would love for you to share, knowing she touched so many lives in so many ways. If you would like to share by phone, call 515-233-3816 and leave your message on voicemail or send your story to Lori Baux at 1219 Wisconsin Avenue, Ames, IA 50014. Memorial gifts may be made to the Attica Methodist Church or the Knoxville Public Library.
***Everyone is invited to bring a lawn chair to the Graveside Service.***
After high school, Mary spent that first summer filling in for people on vacation at the Marion County Courthouse, and afterward held jobs at Dickerson’s Produce, The Credit Bureau, and Hersbergen’s Jewelry. Mary returned to the Courthouse in 1956 as Deputy Treasurer and then, beginning in 1979, she ran successfully for four terms as Marion County Treasurer until retiring in 1993. She never lost touch with her courthouse friends.
Mary enjoyed such great lifelong friendships, including daily conversations and occasional bus trips with her dear friend Cathy Husted. There were also some famous trips with a great group of friends, including Halene King and Betty Pearson, to Elvis impersonator competitions. And for years, every Wednesday night, Mary and Shirley Sims carpooled to bowling league in Knoxville. In retirement, she became quite skilled at ceramics, and loved to test herself with quiz shows on television – unless there was a Cyclones or Royals game on. Virtually every year from childhood until only recently, you’d find Mary camping at the Iowa State Fair.
Even as a working mom, Mary never missed her daughters’ school activities, and was a vocal fan, having herself played six-on-six basketball. And for years, every Saturday night, Mary took her two girls to the Knoxville races. Once her father died at the age of 60 and she and her mom moved off the farm, mother and daughter became a team, both working women until her mother retired at age 83, not long before she died at age 85. Once grown, mother and daughters took an annual trip to Florida. When her granddaughter could join these annual beach trips, the Three Musketeers became the Four Musketeers. Mary cherished her family, especially when she could spend time with her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
Mary passed away on August 21, 2020, at Knoxville Hospital at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law, Fern Olson. Those left to miss her and cherish her memory include two daughters, Linda Steen (Bob), Lori Baux (David), three grandchildren David Steen (Saira), Ryan Steen (Angie), Melissa Steen (Alison), and six great-grandchildren – Maddy, Ashlyn, Carly, Sully, Katie and Brady. Mary is also loved and missed by her nephews Jim Olson (Toni) and Jon Olson (Cindy).
If you have a memory or story about Mary, the family would love for you to share, knowing she touched so many lives in so many ways. If you would like to share by phone, call 515-233-3816 and leave your message on voicemail or send your story to Lori Baux at 1219 Wisconsin Avenue, Ames, IA 50014. Memorial gifts may be made to the Attica Methodist Church or the Knoxville Public Library.
***Everyone is invited to bring a lawn chair to the Graveside Service.***
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