Juanita Baer

JUANITA NETOLICKY BAER

Cedar Rapids

Juanita Netolicky Baer, 89, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Sept. 4, 2017, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a long and courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at Trinity-St. James United Methodist Church, 1430 Ellis Blvd. NW, Cedar Rapids, at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27. Following the service, inurnment will take place at 2 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in the Garden of Tranquility.

Survivors include her four children, Judith Good of Coupeville, Wash., Gary (Stephanie) Netolicky of Cedar Rapids and Ankeny, Holly (Kevin) Hartman of Cedar Rapids and Cheryl (Ray) Smith of St. Francis, Minn.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Janet (Robert) Bostwick of Green Valley, Ariz.; two brothers, Dr. Palmer (Gladys) Dyal of Cupertino, Calif., and Master Kay (Dorris) Dyal of Mission, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Stella Dyal; her father, Edward Nolley; brother, Joe Dyal; son-in-law, William Good; and husbands, Maxwell Netolicky and Aaron Baer.

Juanita was born Feb. 26, 1928, in Washington, Ind. Raised on a farm in rural Fairfax, she attended school in Walford. After graduation, she moved to Cedar Rapids. While working at Quaker Oats, she met and later married Maxwell Netolicky in 1948.

Over the years, the family enjoyed family vacations that included camping and trips to Paul Bunyan Park in northern Minnesota. They also enjoyed several trips to Gramma's house for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Juanita loved helping her three daughters learn how to sew. She taught them the art of cooking, and held down the household all while working a full-time job. Weekends were the best on the farm and in town with the family, aunts and uncles.

Juanita worked at the U.S. Postal Service for over 20 years. She was a member of organized labor. Beginning at the age of 18, she understood union labor and its balance in the workplace – equal pay for women, a voice in the workplace, safety on the job site and a balance for both labor and management. She was a member of three area labor unions: Local 110 RWDSU UFCW, Local 831 Machinists and USPS/APWU Rapids Area Local 166. She was a past recording secretary, steward and lady of labor in the labor movement. Juanita also was a life member of VFW Post 788 Auxiliary.

"Thanks Mom, Rest Well. We Love You!" Judy, Gary, Holly and Cheryl.

A special thank-you goes out to Dr. Mary Ann Nelson, a truly gifted professional who was considerate to all, patient, always sensitive and putting her patients first and it has shown. Dr. Nelson is a special doctor who cared for our mother for over 45 years. Also a special thank-you to Dr. Nelson's staff. Our mother appreciated all of your professional attentiveness and she looked forward to her office appointments. Thank you and all the best to staff members Nancy, Toni, Ellie, Mary, Joan, Carole, Linda, Danielle and Tammy. Also a special thanks to the staff at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House for their care and concern. Thank you all from Juanita's family.

Memorials may be directed to Trinity-St. James United Methodist Church in Juanita's name for the Harrison Elementary School programs.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries.