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| In Memoriam |
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March 22 to May 23, 2023
Mary Baldus
Friend of the University of Saint Francis
Mary, 89, of Fort Wayne died May 8. She was born July 5, 1933, in Ellicottville, New York, a tiny ski village in the foothills of the Allegany Mountains. She was a graduate of Villa Maria College in Erie, Pennsylvania, Magna Cum Laude, with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. She then taught high school for four years in Euclid, Ohio. She married Hugh Joseph Baldus in 1959, and they resided in Fort Wayne. Later in life, they spent their summers at their home on Oliver Lake in Wolcottville.
Mary put others first in her life and was a loving mother and a devoted, active grandmother. Starting in 1993, much of her life revolved around her cherished grandchildren, and she gave most generously of her time and effort to make her love for them unmistakably clear. “Nana” was adored by all eight of them. Mary was an accomplished piano player and loved music, especially jazz and Barbra Streisand. She had successful careers as a homemaker and then a business co-owner at The Baldus Company for 22 years. Her myriad talents included photography, downhill skiing, gardening, cooking and running (winning her age group at several 10k races over the years). She was a voracious reader and shared a love of travel with her husband, especially to New Orleans. She also had a tremendous sense of comedic timing and a lively, clever wit. Mary was quite active in the arts in Fort Wayne, serving within organizations such as the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Artlink and The History Center, and was a past president of the Fort Wayne Art League. She also served on the board of the Mental Health Association, was a member of the Christ Child Society and Quest Club. She loved her bond with the LaGrange County Amish Community and enjoyed her many friendships among them.
Mary rode “right seat” during much of Hugh’s private pilot adventures, helping him navigate as they flew the family around the country visiting family, friends and new destinations. She was strongly and actively committed to her Catholic faith. Her life revolved around her love for family and friends, and honoring God for the endless gifts He provides. She met struggles in her life with honor and dignity, even when it meant suffering from the effects of dementia for the last several years of her life. Another legacy was her influence as co-owner of The Baldus Company. Hugh and Mary worked together faithfully, spending many long hours sustaining and growing the successful family business that is now owned and operated by a third generation of family members. Her clients often became friends, and her dedication to her customers and coworkers included compassion for their needs. With her participation, the business thrived.
She is survived by daughter Patricia Baldus (partner, Daniel Siefert); son Hugh (Julie) Baldus II; son George (Sarah) Baldus; and grandchildren Hugh III, Casey, Georgia, Caroline, Dana, Paige, Keenan and Griffin. She was preceded in death by her husband Hugh; parents Frank and Teresa Marsh; brothers Bob and Dick Marsh; sister Joan Guerrein; and daughter Joan Baldus.
Dr. Julie A. (Gauss) Howenstine
USF Faculty
Julie, 54, died on March 23. Julie was born in Rochester, Michigan, on Feb. 2, 1969, to Dave and Patt Gauss.
Julie earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, in 1991. After graduating, she made significant impacts in marketing for several Fortune 500 companies including General Electric, PepsiCo and Kellogg’s.
Julie married Steven R. Howenstine in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 2001. They lived in Fort Wayne; Coldwater, Michigan; Jackson, Tennessee; and Lake Placid, Florida.
In 2002, Julie earned her Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance. In 2005, she decided to impart her knowledge to the next generation, leaving the corporate world for higher education and working for both Trine University in Angola and the University of Saint Francis. While teaching full time, she decided to pursue her doctorate and attended the University of Toledo in Ohio. While completing her doctoral studies, Julie’s lifelong battle with diabetes demanded an organ transplant. After a successful operation she began her final step of defending and publishing her dissertation.
In 2020, Julie decided to pursue another career while still teaching online graduate courses. She was hired by the United States Postal Services and relocated to Tennessee. Julie was a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt and stepmother.
Cathy Brown ’60
St. Joseph School of Nursing
Catherine, age 83, formerly of Huntington, died on May 9 at Clearvista Lake Health Campus, Indianapolis. Cathy was born on Nov. 8, 1939, in Fort Wayne to the late Harold and Mildred (Kinstle) Broxon. Cathy married Carl M. Brown on May 12, 1962; he preceded her in death on Sept. 27, 2008.
Cathy had a lively spirit that thrived in the great outdoors. Living at Crooked Lake her last two years of high school inspired a love of swimming, water skiing and camping. Cathy’s love for these activities was infectious and she passed on this passion to her family. Vacations centered around camping and enjoying the tranquility of nature or a sandy beach. She found joy in the simple pleasures of gathering around a campfire, sharing stories and making memories.
As a doting grandmother, Cathy cherished time spent with her grandchildren. From backyard camping adventures to lively games of dominoes, she delighted in their laughter and competitiveness.
Cathy graduated from Angola High School in 1957 and St. Joseph School of Nursing in 1960. Professionally, Cathy was a critical care nurse who found her calling in the halls of St. Joseph Hospital for 20 years and later retired from Lutheran Hospital in 2004. Nursing was not just a job; it was her vocation. Even in retirement, when someone suggested Cathy used to be a nurse, Cathy would reply with conviction, “I am still a nurse.” Her passion for healing and caring for others left an indelible mark on those she served as well as those she worked with.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cathy was renowned for her fearless spirit. During the Blizzard of 1978, she earned the title of “Coolest Mom in the Neighborhood.” Unfazed by the steep hill, Cathy hopped on a round metal sled, sliding down the hill at top speed and soaring into the air when she flew over the mogul created by her sons, much to the delight of her children and the neighborhood kids. Her willingness to embrace life’s unexpected joys brought laughter and warmth to all who knew her.
Cathy’s survivors include sons Mark (Sherry) Brown of Fishers, Indiana; Gregory Brown of Boulder, Colorado; and Steven Brown of McMinnville, Tennesee; daughter Carla (Dan) Brennan of Indianapolis; grandchildren Allison (Jon) Roskam, Katie Brown, Anna Brennan, Patrick Brennan and Dahlia Brown; brothers John (Rosemary) Broxon of Pleasant Lake and Mark (Laurie) Broxon of Hamilton, Indiana; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cathy was equally dedicated to the community as to her nursing profession. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Rosary Sodality, the American Legion Auxiliary and past president of St. Joseph School of Nursing Student Association. She maintained and cherished many childhood friends from grade school, high school, nursing and her community.
Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Mary Joan Broxon.
Doris Grandos ’70
Doris Marie, 92, died on April 12, at the Towne House Retirement Community in Fort Wayne. Born Dec. 13, 1930, she was a daughter of Ethel (Haimbaugh) and Elmer Parker. Apart from her college years in Bloomington, Doris lived all her life in Fort Wayne and was a lifelong member of Plymouth Congregational Church.
She played flute in the University Orchestra at Indiana University, where she earned a degree in education, then began teaching at James Smart Elementary School. On Dec. 21, 1957, she married Norm Grandos; they were married for 63 years until his passing in 2021.
While raising their five children, Doris earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Saint Francis and worked as a historical interpreter at the Old Fort. She also volunteered for many organizations: P.E.O., Allen County Genealogical Society, Franke Park Day Camp, Girl Scouts, Camp Red Cedar, and 4-H, among others. For many years Doris could be found dressed as an early pioneer, spinning wool and teaching children about American settlers. Her love of history was also expressed through her extensive genealogical research. Doris was an avid bridge player and had a large circle of friends and family throughout her life. Every summer Doris would take her family to camp by the Tippecanoe River at the family farm and historic Haimbaugh Round Barn near Rochester. Her children couldn’t have asked for a better mother, and her husband was a lucky man to have married Doris.
She will be greatly missed by her family: son Jim (Debbie) Grandos; daughters Sue (Steve) Maggio, Jane (Jerome) Boundy, Patty (Jeff Howard) Grandos and Elizabeth (Darin Toft) Grandos; and 10 grandchildren.
Martha (Gatzemeier) Haag ’61
Martha J. (Marty) Gatzemeier Haag, 93, of Fort Wayne, died on March 31 at Kingston Residence. Marty was born in Havre, Montana, on December 7, 1929, and was the seventh of nine children of Edward and Anna May (Fort) Gatzemeier.
She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Saint Francis and her graduate degrees in business education and guidance from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Early in her career, she taught in several grade schools in Illinois and Indiana, then spent the majority of her career at Bishop Luers High School, where she also served as chairman of the business department for many years. In addition, she taught evening courses at International Business College. She was truly an inspiration and a joy to anyone who was privileged to call her their friend. She will be missed dearly and will live in our hearts forever.
Marty is survived by brothers Edward Gatzemeier of Helena, Montana, and Joseph Gatzemeier of Havre, Montana; her best friend of many years Sr. M. Blanche, O.S.F. of Mishawaka; her devoted daughter Kay Miller of Fort Wayne; all her deeply cherished friends; and several stepchildren. In addition to her parents, Marty was preceded in death by her husband Homer Haag; sisters Sr. M. Clara Ann, O.S.F., Mary Rockwell, Hazel Gatzemeier and Helen Krejci; and brothers Victor Gatzemeier and Donald Gatzemeier.
Gary Bender ’71
Gary, of Fort Myers, Florida, died April 18. Born Oct. 30, 1943, in Fort Wayne, Gary was a son of Raymond and Betty Bender.
After graduating from Elmhurst High School, he attended Purdue University. At Purdue, he was a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha. Gary did his graduate work at the University of Saint Francis. He coached for the Fort Wayne Volleyball Club for 12 years, taking several teams to national championships. He retired to Fort Myers, Florida, after teaching and coaching for Fort Wayne Community Schools for 35 years. In Florida, Gary continued to coach volleyball for Fort Myers High School, Bishop Verot High School, USA South and Fusion Volleyball. He was active in his retirement community, playing on the softball and tennis teams.
Gary died peacefully at home with his family surrounding him with love. Gary is survived by his wife Kathleen of Fort Myers; son Brad of Fort Myers; daughter Wynn (Bender) DePasquale of Fort Myers; son-in-law Justin DePasquale of Fort Myers; sister Karen (Bender) Albee of Fort Myers; brother-in-law Jerry Albee of Fort Myers; brother Dale Bender of Fort Wayne; and grandchildren Peyton Bender, Rocco DePasquale and Siena DePasquale.
Paul Schilb ’75
Paul Richard “Rick,” Jr., 75, of Fort Wayne, died at home surrounded by his loving family on March 22. Rick was born in Fort Wayne on June 8, 1947, to Vivian (King) and Paul Richard Schilb, Sr. On August 7, 1971, he married Margaret (Peg) Phipps, who survives in Fort Wayne. They shared 53 years of marriage and raised two sons, Aaron Christopher and Mikael Paul.
Growing up in Antwerp, Ohio, Rick excelled as a high school athlete. He achieved varsity status in both baseball and basketball in all four years of high school. He also played baseball at Indiana University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. Later in his career he achieved a master’s degree in education from the University of Saint Francis. After graduation he taught high school social studies at Payne/Wayne Trace, Antwerp Local and Van Wert City Schools. Rick also coached both basketball and baseball during his career. He retired from Van Wert City Schools after 35 years in education. While teaching at Van Wert City Schools, Rick was very involved with the Van Wert City Education Association and served as vice president.
Faith was always important in Rick’s life. While living in Van Wert, Ohio, he was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church, singing in the choir and holding various roles in the church. After his retirement, he and Peg moved to Fort Wayne, where they became members of Plymouth Congregational Church. Plymouth was a comforting and constant presence until his passing. Music was always a joy for Rick. He was a faithful member of Plymouth’s chancel choir and the annual Boar’s Head Yule Festival Choir. He served as church moderator and led many campaigns for Food Resource Bank/Growing Hope Globally while attending Plymouth.
Rick will be sadly missed by his wife Peg; sons Aaron (Ashley) Schilb and Mikael (Meredith) Schilb; mother Vivian Schilb; sister Janese Schilb; mother-in-law JoAnn Phipps; and grandchildren Max, Charlie, Henry, Vivian Schilb, Damon and Lilly Smith. He was preceded in death by his father Paul Richard “Dick” Schilb, Sr.
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