Celestine Badger

CELESTINE M. (SALLY) BADGER

Cedar Rapids

Celestine M. (Sally) Badger, 96, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center.

A private memorial service for family and close friends will be held in early summer of next year. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Sally is survived by her daughter, Pat and husband Dr. George Facer of Rochester, Minn.; her son, Steve Badger of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Dr. Michelle Facer and husband Dr. Eric Etzel, Dr. Carla Facer, Steve Badger II and wife Amanda and Lisa Nelson and husband Chad; and six great-grandchildren, Madison and Parker Etzel, Skylar and Halle Nelson and Lucas and Carly Badger.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Carl, in 2003; her parents; and her grandson, Michael Facer.

Sally was born Jan. 31, 1920, in Massillon, Ohio, the daughter of Edward and Leola Ray Kneffler. She married Carl J. Badger on Sept. 19, 1937, in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Sally was first and foremost a loyal wife, mother and homemaker. However, she did find time to serve others. She was a Cub Scout Den leader and a Camp Fire leader. She served as a hospice volunteer for many years at Mercy Medical Center. She worked in the kitchen at St. Patrick's, St. Jude's and LaSalle. She enjoyed being around all the students and they really loved her. She was a past president of the Cedar Rapids Police Women's Auxiliary and was active in the Iowa State Police Officers Auxiliary.

Sally was an avid golfer and spent many winters in Texas playing golf with Carl and friends. She had a passion for playing cards and was a member of bridge and canasta clubs that played together for over 30 years. Club members were among her very best friends and they know who they are. But above all, Sally cherished spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sally spent the last nine months residing at Evergreen Estates II in Cedar Rapids. The staff and residents there were very kind and caring. She often mentioned how much she enjoyed living there.

Thank you to Evergreen Estates II. Thank you also to Dr. Melanie Stahlberg and Dr. A. Ersin Atay for the excellent care they provided Sally over the past several years.

The family especially wants to thank Ann and Merlyn Bruce, who for over 50 years were friends and neighbors of Sally and Carl. Ann and Merlyn were always there for Sally and she enjoyed every moment she spent with them.

Sally was a charter member of St. Jude Catholic Church and a strong supporter of Xavier High School. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Memorials may be made in her name to St. Jude Catholic Church or the Xavier Foundation.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Badger family on our web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.