Beverly Anne (Schwarz) Baker

Beverly Anne Baker, 92

Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 15, in Rochester, due to complications of Alzheimer’s and COVID, of which she put up a tenacious fight.

Bev was born on June 15th, 1928 to Carl and Bessie Schwarz in Rochester, Minnesota, where she grew up.

She graduated from Rochester High School with honors in 1946.

She married D.L. “Curly” Hrubetz in Rochester, MN on October 12, 1946 when he returned home from the Navy.

Bev was a supervisor at Mayo Clinic during her earlier years, at the then Central appt desk until their son Mark was born.

She and Curly later divorced in 1973.

On March 26, 1976, she married Lowell Baker in Columbus, Georgia. They made their home in Menominee, Wisconsin, Albert Lea, and later returned to Rochester to live in 1987.

Bev was one of the top women bowlers in Rochester in the 60’s and early 70’s, receiving many WIBC awards and trophies while bowling in various Womens leagues in Rochester. Like everything else, she approached it with an intense passion to excel.

She later became manager of Circus world bingo for a few years in the 90’s, as keeping busy was her forte, as she was never one to just sit and relax. To Bev, there was always something that needed doing somewhere.

Bev’s kitchen was her domain, as known by anyone that tried to enter while she was cooking up her pies, cookies, meals, or “getting dinner ready.”

You were usually met with an “Out of the kitchen!” until she was done. Taking care of the house and keeping it in perfect order was her other passion; you never saw anything that wasn’t clean or out of place. One of her greatest joys was their toy poodles, Sweetie and Lovie, who could be found perched on her lap when she did find time to finally sit down.

Bev was a die-hard Minnesota Twins fan her entire life, and could reel off the stats of almost every player on the team, putting many guys to shame. There were memorable trips to the old Met stadium so she could cheer her team players on in person. She also enjoyed trips around the state to various casinos, where she would play the slots for an afternoon “just for fun.”

She was also a great fan of rock and roll, and the radio in the 60’s was always tuned to WDGY, or “weegie”, as she called it. She passed that love of music on to her son Mark, and they would often dance to the latest hit, be it the twist, the pony, or the swim. Tuning in to watch Shindig and Hullabaloo on TV was a must after dinner!

Later in life, she fought Alzheimer’s hard for a number of years, insisting she was fine, and just as sharp as ever. Who could forget her zooming around in her silver Monte Carlo SS while still in her 80’s? It wasn’t until the summer of 2018 when her difficulties forced her to move to an assisted living facility, where she lived until her death.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents, her five brothers, Bobby, Carlton, Don, Richard, and Walter, and by her husband Lowell.

She is survived by her son, Mark Hrubetz of Rochester.

A special thank you goes out to St. Croix Hospice folks, and especially Tara, who watched over her so closely, providing medical care, and was Mark’s eyes and ears while the quarantine was in effect. Thanks to her Mayo Doctor and care team who took such good care of her. Also to the caregivers who took care of Mom on a daily basis, and that she liked so well. You know who you are.

Funeral services for Bev will be held Tuesday December 22nd at 1:30 PM at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Rochester Chapel, 1624 37th Street NW. The Reverend Anjanette Bandel will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester. Visitation will be Monday December 21st at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, and will continue one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.