Mary Kay Baeten, 79, died peacefully with family on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Edenbrook of Appleton. The daughter of the late Michael and Genevieve (Van Rixel) was born on July 19, 1941 in Askeaton, Wisconsin. On September 7, 1965, she was united in marriage to Milton Baeten. He preceded her in death on March 10, 2019. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Amy Jo Baeten and her brother, Patrick Brennan.  She was a member of Saint Clare's Catholic Church in Wrightstown. Mary Kay was an avid knitter and enjoyed a variety of crafts and creating flower arrangements for different occasions. She was especially devoted to her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Beth Anne and Dale Schultz; her son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Kristin Baeten; her grandchildren, Tyler Schultz, Jennifer Schultz, and Samantha Baeten; her two great grandchildren Jade Laabs and April Schultz; her sister, Janice Van Wychen; her two sisters-in-law, Rose Brennan and Lynette Nushart; her brother-in-law Norbert Nushart; her nieces, Vicki King, Bridget Brennan, Kathleen Brennan,  Mary Ellen Smith, Patricia Brennan, Caroline Brennan, and Dawn Eggers; her nephews, Timothy Van Wychen, Troy Van Wychen, and Douglas Nushart.

Family and friends may call Thursday, November 19, 2020 between 3:00 and 6:00 pm at O'CONNELL FUNERAL HOME (1776 E. Main St, Little Chute, WI 54140) .  To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com.

During these uncertain times, the family understands that many who knew Mary Kay may not be able to participate in this memorial. We wish everyone to stay safe and make appropriate choices based on their own health concerns. Recommended guidelines to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus, including social distancing and wearing masks, will be observed during visitation for the safety of everyone.

The family would like to thank all the health care heroes, especially our friends at Edenbrook for their compassionate care and dedication. Thank you all so very much!

The Thief

A thief came a while back and slowly took our mother away. He didn't do it all at once, but tiny pieces every day. At first, we hardly noticed and sometimes even smiled.  "Oh, she's just getting older" we told ourselves, our long suit was denial.  Then, as we realized the truth and tried so hard to cope with anger and frustration, hers and ours, we found there was no hope.  She'd try so hard to form a thought and tell us what she meant, but the thief would steal her words away and leave her sad and spent.  The haunted look for what once was - the searching, asking, pacing  - the thief had all the cards in hand, with time against Mom racing.  Mom tried the best with what she had and Lord knows we did too, but the thief then overtook and stole each bit of her we knew.  But now the hard battle's done, and Mom's resting inner final Home.  God made the thief give back to us the mother we had known.  Now never more will she have to try to speak and feel like crying; God will comfort, hear and understand, without Mom even trying.