NELLIE KEM BAXTER

NELLIE KEM BAXTER

Des Moines

Nellie Kem Baxter, 102, of Windsor Heights, a wonderful Christian mother and woman went to her heavenly home on July 17,2009. She was born in Davenport, IA on July 19, 1906 to Daniel and Birdie Jane Kem. She was raised in Davenport and went to college at Iowa State Teachers College, now University of Northern Iowa, after which she taught in Osage, IA, before marrying Gerald G. Baxter and moving to Waterloo, IA. Later they moved to Cedar Falls where she raised her family and was active in many service organizations and women's groups. Nellie and Gerald moved to Des Moines in 1963. She was a member of PEO, Chapter JM, GYROS and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.

Her husband, Gerald Baxter and a daughter, Neta Baxter Cohen preceded her death. Nellie is survived by her brother, Rev. Canon Robert Kem of Ankeny, her son and daughter in law Richard and Jane Baxter of Nashville, TN, and her daughter and son in law Barbara and Jim Stehbens of Iowa City; seven grandchildren: Barbara Anliker of Emmetsburg, IA, Catherine Almond of Chester, VA, Dr. Beth Baxter, of Nashville, TN, Jo Green of Neches, TX, Richard Baxter, Jr. of Somerville, MA, Stacey McGrath of Iowa City and Sarah Larson of Sioux Falls, SD, and nine great grandchildren.

Services will be held on Sunday, July 19 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 5720 Urbandale, IA. 2:30 p.m. Father Robert Kem of St. Anne's Episcopal Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Iowa Senior Life Center, Des Moines, The American Cancer Society, Iowa Chapter, or St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Ankeny. Westover Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Burial will be at the LeClaire Cemetery in LeClaire, IA.