Rebecca Annette (Baumer) Kime, 58, of Apple Valley, California, formerly of Manawa, WI passed away peacefully in her sleep at her parents’ home in Manawa, early Friday morning, June 20, 2014, after a six and one-half month battle with cancer.
Becky was born at Riverside Memorial Hospital in Waupaca on February 13, 1956, the oldest daughter of Conrad and Henrietta (nee Gehrke) Baumer. She attended St. Paul Lutheran School, and Little Wolf High School in Manawa. She was the Valedictorian of the Senior Class of 1974 and planned to attend her 40th Class Reunion July 12th. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse on August 4, 1978 and shortly thereafter moved to Garden Grove, California. She was employed for several years at Hughes Aircraft Credit Union and Hewlett Packard, both in California. Becky loved doing creative things, so she started her own event planning business, and put her skills to work decorating for proms, weddings, and special parties. Her greatest pride was decorating the “Medieval Times Dinner Theatre” in Buena Park, CA, every New Years Eve, for many years. She was very disappointed that her illness prevented her from doing it this past December.
Becky married Robert Kime in Hawaii on November 29, 1987. Their daughter Rachael Margaret was born on February 15, 1990. Becky took special pride in Rachael’s singing and entertainment career and provided a warm home for Robert and Rachael. Becky was an active member of The Saddleback Church in Los Angeles, and had a loving group of friends in the area. When Becky’s cancer was diagnosed, she moved to her daughter’s apartment in Los Angeles, and on Saturday, May 3, 2014, she had the honor of seeing Rachael marry Brandon Pierce. Her next goal was to get strong enough to make one last trip to her childhood home in Wisconsin. She accomplished this on her own, flying from Los Angeles to Green Bay, on her sister Connie’s birthday June 10th. While home, she enjoyed hearing her sister Jeanne sing at the Little Creek Blue Grass Festival on Friday evening June 13th, and saw the full moon that evening. Becky enjoyed a family brunch at Manawa Steak House on Fathers’ Day June 15th and a visit with her sister Jody, who had come home from Minnesota. She also enjoyed special pampering by the stylists at Styles II, especially loved her mom’s family favorite casseroles and shared TV shows with her dad.
Becky is survived by her husband Robert and her daughter and son-in-law, Rachael and Brandon Pierce. She had a very special, close relationship with her daughter Rachael, who will miss her dearly. She is further survived by her parents, Conrad and Henrietta Baumer, Manawa; sisters, Jodell Rowland, Eden Prairie, MN; Connie (Randy) Klotzbuecher and Jeanne (Bernie) Bauer, both of Manawa; her nephew and godson, Tony Klotzbuecher, Ogdensburg; nephews, Joseph and Michael Rowland, Eden Prairie, MN; Dan (Abby) Bauer, Lake Mills, WI; David Bauer, Van Nuys, CA; nieces, Caitlin Rowland, Chicago, IL; Jamie Bauer, Hortonville, WI, and grandnieces, Claire and Taylor Klotzbuecher, Ogdensburg. She is further survived by uncles, Herbert Gehrke, Hortonville; Leonhard Gehrke, Janesville; Ray Meyer, Medford, and aunt Valerie Baumer, Medford. and also by many friends and other relatives, both in Wisconsin and California. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Leonhard and Anna Gehrke, Leo and Margaret Baumer, aunts, uncles and a special “Aunt Dee” Graichen. Becky had just read the book, “Heaven Is For Real,” and was reassured that she would be there soon.
A Celebration of Becky’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Manawa, WI. Rev. Vilas Mazemke will officiate. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established. Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral Home, Manawa is assisting the family with arrangements. www.clinehansondahlkefuneralhomes.com