Beth Baden

Beth Baden, 88 years old, passed away on July 15, 2020, after a long illness.  She passed at home, surrounded by Jack, her husband of almost 65 years, her children, and niece Diane Thiele.  

Beth Baden was born Mary Elizabeth Wikle on January 27, 1932, to Dewey and Della Wikle.  Beth and her older sister Della grew up amidst the cornfields of Iowa.  As a teenager, Beth traveled quite a bit throughout the west and midwest.  She especially loved her trip to Wyoming, often recounting fond memories of her travels as her children listened intently.  We have a lovely photo of Beth and her cousin at Angel Falls in Yellowstone National Park.  Little did she know that 65 years later, two of her children would recreate that picture, thinking of her as they posed in nearly the same spot.  Beth attended Iowa State Teachers College her freshman year where she took some secretarial classes.  Years later, she would put her shorthand skills to work, writing her Christmas shopping lists in shorthand so that her children could not see what Santa was bringing.  In 1951 Beth moved to Washington, DC. and worked in an air traffic control tower.  Then a friend set her up on a blind date.  She met the love of her life, Jack Baden.  Jack says that he was very impressed when he first saw her, he fell in love immediately, and he knew he was going to marry her.  They were married on September 10, 1955.  Beth and Jack had six children, Becky Beteag (Mark), Mike (Margaret), Carol, Mary Paris (Gary), Joe (Jennifer), and Phil (Rebecca).  They have 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.  Beth worked tirelessly for Atlanta Braille Volunteers, using a Perkins Brailler to type books for the blind.  She loved both creating and proofreading these much-needed books.  Beth was also involved in All Saints’ Catholic Church.  She participated in altar care services, was active in the Ladies Auxiliary, worked diligently on the church’s annual fundraiser/luncheon event, and provided other help whenever she saw help was needed.  The parish honored her by declaring her Woman of the Year in 1996.  Beth’s family and friends will remember her as a kind and gentle person.  Beth was fiercely intelligent, she was a great listener, and she would do anything she could at anytime to help anyone in need.  She told her children: “If you can do something nice for someone, do it.”  We will miss her immeasurably.  We love you, Mom!

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation to your favorite charity in Beth’s name.

Visitation - Friday, July 17, 2020, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ingram Funeral Home.  210 Ingram Avenue, Cumming GA. 30040.  Private family ceremony on Saturday morning.

Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA 30040 is in charge of arrangements.  Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.