Joan Rose "Jody" Baden

Joan Rose “Jody” Baden (nee Schaefer), of Saint Charles, Missouri, passed away Friday, May 19, 2023, at the age of 88. Loving wife of 65 years to the late Herbert W. Baden; beloved daughter of the late Flora and Louis Schaefer; devoted mother of Kurt (Martha) Baden and Karen Crider; cherished grandmother of Byron (Eileen) Baden, Matthew (Karen) Crider, Peter (Jessica) Baden, Samantha (Zachary) Valentine, and Caroline Baden; treasured great-grandmother of Lillian Crider, Edie Baden, Della Crider, Callie Crider, and Boone Baden. Jody was preceded in death by her siblings, Marian (Robert) Ziebart, Louis (Shirley and Arlene) Schaefer, Allen (Dory and Mary Jo) Schaefer, and William Schaefer.  

Through her marriage to Herb, Jody had beloved sisters and brothers-in-law, Eleanor (Bob) Droege, Elise (George) Locke, and Wilma (Paul) Droegemueller. 

Jody grew up in south St. Louis, MO, in a house she remembered fondly. She was the youngest of four children and surrounded by loving parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Just as her parents made room in their home to care for family and friends, Jody opened her home through the years to care for others. She regularly hosted Sunday dinners for extended family and friends, and she cared for her parents and uncle in their last years. 

For more than 30 years, Jody worked alongside her husband, Herb at the Mule Trading Post and managed the Frankoma Pottery Shoppe in Rolla, MO. Jody was also particularly proud of an early work experience at Table Rock Dam in Branson, MO. She served as a secretary and telephone operator for the engineers who built the dam and had souvenirs of that time proudly displayed in her home.  

The Missouri Synod Lutheran Church was central to Jody’s life. She sang in the choir at Immanuel Lutheran in Rolla, MO and attended Bible study and served faithfully as a Stephen Minister for many years at Immanuel Lutheran in St. Charles. Sundays brought Jody such joy: hearing the music, receiving communion and the word of God, and visiting with friends after the service in the narthex. 

Jody will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but especially by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who remember the strength of her faith and her love of Cardinals baseball, pinochle and dominoes, card and letter writing, bear hugs, and steadfast love and support for each one of them. 

Memorials may be made in Joan's name to Immanuel Lutheran Church for the Music Program or Early Childhood Department.