BISHOP/ NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Ethel May Baer, age 94, joined her Lord in Heaven, on January 31, 2021. She was born in North Hollywood, California, the daughter of Barbara and James Foster, on September 3, 1926.Ethel met the love of her life, Frederick Baer Jr., as a teenager and they married amidst WWII on June 6, 1943. She was just sixteen. They had a wonderful, loving relationship for the next 66 years. They began the first chapter of their lives together in a tent while building their first home in Pacoima, California after the war. They later moved to Northridge. They went on to have three daughters that were the center of their lives. Ethel was a full-time homemaker and loved every minute of it. She was a great cook and seamstress, proudly making the girls most of their clothes. Along with their lovely dresses the girls also got their biannual Toni perms. As a family, they enjoyed attending church together as well as camping, hiking, picnicking and lots of adventures in their trailer with special times spent at Refugio Beach. While Fred had worked long and hard he always had his partner by his side holding down the home front. As Ethel used to say, “she made it easy for him.” Once the girls were grown and Fred retired from his plumbing business they began the second chapter of their lives. This retirement chapter also began with the building of a new home in a place they loved: Bishop, California. This time they stayed in a trailer instead of a tent. They were lucky to spend more than forty years in Bishop enjoying, “God’s Country.” They were avid golfers and active members of First Presbyterian Church. Ethel loved her daily walks and tending her roses. Their home became the hub of the family. Many happy times were spent there. The grandkids could always look forward to the row of homemade chocolate chip cookies waiting for them on the counter before playing in the creek.
Ethel was a fun, joyful, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She always had time to listen, council, and give her wisdom, advice and lots of hugs. She had a rich, full life, was loved by all, and will be sorely missed. Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frederick Baer; and her siblings: John Foster, Scott Foster and Bessie Brakefield. She is survived by her three daughters: Jean (Lee) Thompson, Jan (Walt-deceased) Kelley, and Joanie Baer. Ethel is further survived by her grandchildren: David, Dean, John, Steven, Sara and Brett, along with nine great-grandchildren.
Ethel will be laid to rest with her husband in the Bishop Cemetery later this year. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice