Mary Jane Baxter

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Baxter, Mary Jane age 94, of Hutchinson, formerly of Fairmont, passed away Mar. 25, 2015, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson. A private family service will be held Tues., Mar. 31, 10:05 A.M., Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Ave S, Mpls. Mary Jane Menke was born in Fairmont, MN, on Feb. 28, 1921, to parents Al and Angie (Simmons) Menke. She grew up and attended school in Fairmont and was a June 1939 graduate of Fairmont High School. Mary Jane was the first Fairmont homecoming queen. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and business school in Mpls. While working at The Office of War Information in Washington D.C., she met Raymond E. Baxter at the Tudor Club. They were united in marriage June 22, 1943 and were married 66 years. Mary Jane spent many years working in fashion at Georgia's in Fairmont, and at Jackson Graves in Roseville, St. Paul. She enjoyed singing with the Fairmont United Methodist Church choir, groups "The Keynotes" and "The Mozart Marching Society," and the choir at Fridley United Methodist Church. Mary Jane enjoyed music, playing bridge, gardening, sewing and needlework. Survivors include two daughters, Pamela (Philip) Graves of Hutchinson, MN and Jennifer (Sheldon) Wardell of Anchorage, AK; son Bruce (Lynne) Baxter of Yakima, WA; 5 grandchildren, Paula, Jeff, Teresa, Ty and Alyson; and 4 great-grandchildren, Emily, Abigail, Samantha and Oscar. She was preceded in death by husband Raymond, her parents, grandchild Jacqueline Graves, sisters Doris Rau and Joanne Malliet. Dobratz-Hantge Chapel Hutchinson 1-800-937-1728 hantge.com

Published on March 29, 2015