Mildred M. Baatz went to be with her Lord and Savior very early on April 6, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Osage County, Missouri on July 25, 1924.  She was the daughter of Charles A. and Anna (Vossen) Johnston.  She grew up on a farm there with many happy memories and also hardships during the Depression years.

She married Harold A. Bowen of Empire, Michigan on January 3, 1943 in Jefferson City, Missouri.  She lived in Louisville, KY while he was in the army there, before moving to Michigan.  After his death in 1960, she married Wilfred E. Baatz in 1963, who passed away in 1999.  She retired from Chef Pierre (Sara Lee now) in 1990 after working there for 19 years.

Milly loved her family and was well loved by them.  She enjoyed many years of working in her flowerbeds and making crafts.  She really loved to crochet and made many things for her family and friends.  She also made many braided rugs and she loved to make quilts and hand quilted many for her family.

She is survived by her sons Alan (Christine) Bowen of Williamsburg and Peter (Carla) Baatz of Thompsonville. Her beloved grandchildren:  Evan Baatz, Emily Henderson, Heather Hobbins, Nick Wenzel and Cory Wenzel; also 25 step grandchildren and many great grandchildren, plus several great-great grandchildren.  Also she has one of her brothers, Wayne Johnston of Missouri that is still living.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands, Harold A. Bowen and Wilfred E. Baatz; her first child Shirley; two brothers, Charles L. and Edgar Johnston, both of Missouri and two sisters, Lorraine Ashton of California and Dorothy Desmond of Missouri and three stepsons, Dale, Dick and Donald and a step daughter, Dorothy Erickson.

She was a member of the Lighthouse Church of God.  She was also a member of Internationally Yours and TOPS Club.

Friends and family may gather in celebration of her life at 1:00 PM on Thursday, 4-15-2021 at Lighthouse Church of God, 2770 LaFranier Road, Traverse City, with visitation beginning at 10:30 AM.  Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery north of Empire.  Visitation will be held Wednesday, 4-14-2021 from 2-4 PM at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City, Chapel, 232 E. State Street, Traverse City.

Memorials may be given in her name to Lighthouse Church of God.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com