Mary Ann was born on June 21, 1930, to Claus and Mildred (Griesse) Reyelts in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. While growing up, she worked at the Reyelts Family Dairy. Mary Ann graduated from Rock Rapids high school in 1948. She attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa for 2 years, completing the parish worker course in May 1950.
Mary Ann worked in a variety of positions after college, including as a parish worker at Zion Lutheran Church in Muscatine, Iowa. She also worked at the public library in Wausau, Wisconsin, and at a drug store in Dubuque, Iowa.
Mary Ann was united in marriage to Richard Bahe on June 21, 1952, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. Together they became the parents of six children. As a pastor’s wife, Mary Ann assisted Richard as he served congregations in Rosthern/Hague, Saskatchewan, Canada; rural Marshfield, Wisconsin; rural Tama/Dunbar, Iowa; Raymond, Minnesota; Sherwood/rural Kenmare, North Dakota; and New Leipzig, North Dakota. In 1993, after Richard retired, they moved to their new home on the east shores of Lake Burgen just outside of Alexandria, Minnesota. Throughout her life, Mary Ann was very active in church activities, including Sunday School, Bible School, Bible studies, and women’s groups. In addition, Mary Ann carried out her own personal ministry through remembering others regularly with cards and notes for various occasions/events. Following Richard’s death in 2014, Mary Ann moved to Windmill Ponds in Alexandria in September 2014.
Mary Ann died at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria on Monday, January 11, 2016, with family at her side. She is survived by six children: David (Terri) Bahe of Washburn, WI; Judy Bahe of Bismarck, ND; Ruth Bahe-Jachna (Roger Jachna) of Hammond, IN; Susan Bahe of Lakota, ND; Alan (Lisa) Bahe of Pierre, SD; and Gail Bahe of Bismarck, ND; one brother: Paul (Ruth) Reyelts of Grand Rapids, MI; one sister: Lois (Larry) Trachte of Waverly, IA; six granddaughters: Sarah (Victor Chapel), Michelle (Chris Robinson), Kristen, Alissa, Samantha, Chantal Lewis; one grandson, Brodie; several in-laws; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents, and one brother.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 15, 2016, 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at Shalom Lutheran Church. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016, 1:00 PM, at Shalom Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Burial will be at Kinkead Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net
Memorials are preferred to Shalom Church Building Fund, Mary Ann Bahe Scholarship at Wartburg College or Donors Choice