Lillian Catherine Baucke was born on February 5, 1933 to Pete and Precious (Woodward) Brophy at their home in the sandhills north of Wray, Colorado. She was number five of seven children. She passed away on February 21, 2024 at the Yuma District Hospital the age of 91.
Lillian began her school years at the Morning Star School for the first eight years and later graduated from Wray High School.
Lillian began her working career at the Yuma County Welfare Department, followed by an operator at the telephone company and her last employment was as a teller at World Savings.
Lillian married Elmer Baucke on February 4, 1955 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma, Colorado. To this union six children were born, Dan, Andy, Ron, Lori, Kent and Phillip. They operated Baucke Electric which still exists today with Ron and Robin’s family continuing the electrical business.
While raising her family Lillian volunteered for many activities. She was active in the American Legion and VFW Auxiliary, St. John’s Alter and Rosary Society, Yuma School Board for 12 years and coached a tee ball team. They delivered the Rocky Mountain News to the Yuma community and she ran a concession stand at the ball fields with her kids where “Pet Rocks” were the hot item.
Lillian loved to cook family meals, play cards, eat out, take trips (especially going to Mesquite to see her sister Anne) and attending family reunions. The best thing in her life were her kids and grandkids and later the great grandkids. She was blessed with the extended family of Perry Blach, Doris Mekelburg and Roylynn Baucke, Lillian was the last Baucke of that generation.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Precious Brophy, husband, Elmer; brother, David Brophy and wife, Nadene ; brother-inlaws, Jack Squire and Tom Schelly; sister, Lois Carruthers and husband, Wayne and sister, Marion Greenfield; granddaughters, April and Jenee’ Baucke.
She is survived by her children and grandchildren, Dan and Jan Baucke, Justin and Suzanna, Seth and Casey and Chad and Liz; Andy and Denice Baucke, Jessi and Tyler Holland and CJ and Brittney Baucke; Ron and Robin Baucke, Ty and Amanda Baucke, Tristyn and Blake Roth, and Taryn and Hank Jackson; Lori Spencer, Ryan Spencer, Kaylee and Austin LaBrune and Joey Spencer; Kent and Kathy Baucke, Rachael and Chris Bok, Dawson Baucke and Shea Baucke; Phillip and Monica Baucke, Kaitlyn Baucke (Christopher Schneider) and Jarret Baucke (Sophie Kolb) along with twenty great grandchildren; sisters, Gene Schelly of Greeley, Colorado and Anne Squire of Mesquite, Nevada and brother, Pete Brophy and wife, Katie of Wray, Colorado along with numerous other relatives and friends.
Rosary was Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Yuma, Colorado.
Funeral Service was Monday, February 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. also at St. John’s Catholic Church with Father Felicien Mbala officiating. Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado. Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.