"John, Mike, Ray, Bill, and Joe -- I will always remember canning corn with the Baltes and Artley clans. Nancy and my mom would assign the jobs of corn-picking to John and Dean; shucking the ears was the job for us kids out under the trees; then Nancy and Regina would spend hours boiling, cutting, and bagging enough corn for both families for the whole following year. As hot and steamy as the kitchen would get, Nancy would still always been chuckling about something. She gave and gave to her friends and seemed to love every minute. We will miss her so much."
In loving memory of
Nancy L. Baltes
February 2, 1932 - April 28, 2016
Nancy Baltes, 84, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2016, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton in Hampton, Iowa.
Nancy L. Baltes was born Feb. 2, 1932, in Oak Park, Ill., to Charlotte (Sampson) and Eldon Libby. Nancy graduated from Hampton High School in Hampton, Iowa. She was united in marriage to John Baltes on Nov. 4, 1950, in Hampton, Iowa. Nancy worked in the Hampton Community School system as a teacher's aid, and was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hampton. She enjoyed cooking, working in her large flower and vegetable gardens, being around her beloved pets, and fostering kids. She also enjoyed music, and played clarinet in the Hampton Municipal Band for nearly 60 years.
Nancy is survived by: her husband John Baltes of Hampton, Iowa; son Michael (Char) Baltes of Ankeny, Iowa; son William Baltes of Des Moines, Iowa; son Ray (Julie) Baltes of Hampton, Iowa; son Joe Baltes of Kansas; brother Eldon (Sandy) Libby of Houston, Texas; grandchildren Matthew, Michelle and Tommy; and great-grandchildren Will, Madelyn, Audrey, Emery, Weston, Jonathan and Ezra.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Tributes
"Nancy always provided our home with farm fresh eggs. As a teenager I gave up Brown eggs for lent one year and Dad didn't think that was very funny. Nancy was a very close friend to my mother, Pat Schreuder. I'm sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you all. Mary Jo Schreuder Pipkin, Cedar Rapids, Iowa "
"As Nancy's younger cousin, I looked up to her almost as the older sister I didn't have. She could heal, with her love and care, almost any injured animal or bird she found. She cared for all of God's creatures, including people. She had a great sense of humor, which made visits to Hampton and John and Nancy at the farm something I always enjoyed. Nancy loved to play her clarinet in the Hampton Municipal Band. And, she could whistle through her teeth! I will miss her very much."
"Nancy & John had huge hearts. They raised my husband, Billy Baltes RedHawk and his brother, Marvin Baltes Whitewolf when their own biological parents could not. It is not an easy task raising children of different cultures and I admire and love them for doing so. "
"Nancy and John took me in and cared for me as a baby, when my own parents could not do so. I will be forever grateful for the kind and loving care they gave me, when it was most needed. Nancy will be forever in my heart."
"As a younger cousin, Nancy was always a friend. When Nancy and John took my sister, Georgia, my late brother, Wayne and me out to eat. I could not finish my food. Nancy remarked, "You know they will save it for the next time you come". I finished my food.
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