BAEHR, Elda Beatrice

Elda Baehr, 83 of Aurora died Sunday morning, August 20, 2000 at Saint Francis Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska after suffering a stroke July 25, 2000. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 at 10:00 A.M., at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Aurora. The Rev. Monty Nelson will officiate. Interment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Monday at Higby Mortuary. Memorials are requested to name the Presbyterian U.C.C. Church. OBITUARY: ELDA BAEHR Elda Beatrice Baehr, was born September 3, 1916 at Indianola, Nebraska to George and Faye Rawson. Elda Rawson graduated as salutatorian from Indianola High School. She attended both Peru State Teachers College and University of Wyoming before teaching high school in Marrian, Nebraska and Fullerton, Nebraska. Elda Rawson was judged Miss McCook and was top finalist in the 1936 Miss Nebraska Pageant. Ms. Rawson met her lifelong husband, Wesley A. “Cub” Baehr, in Fullerton, Nebraska. They were married July 4, 1943 in Aurora. During the Second World War Elda contributed to the war effort by working in New York City at an aircraft manufacturing plant while her husband served in the Pacific. Elda returned to Aurora to help manage the family store during the later part of the war and became widely known owner/manager of Baehr’s Red & White Grocery for the next 32 years. Her only child, a son, Ted Baehr, was born September 4, 1949. Aurora was Elda’s life and home until she recently moved to the Riverside Lodge in Grand Island after losing her husband November 12, 1999. Elda was married to Cub Baehr for 56 years. Mrs. Baehr was active in local community affairs in Aurora. She served on the church council of the Federated Church where she was a member for over 50 years. One of Elda’s fondest memories was teaching Sunday School in the Federated Church while all her neighborhood children, including her own son Ted, passed through elementary grades. She was a devoted Member of the PEO Sisterhood and received her 50-year pin. Elda was longtime Member of the American Legion Auxiliary and prior member of various civic groups, sororities and bridge clubs. Survivors include her one son, Ted Baehr of Santa Barbara, California; two brothers, George Rawson, Jr. of Laramie, Wyoming and Chester Rawson of Santa Maria, California; one sister, Eleanore Haskins of Decatur, Alabama.