Sylvia R. Baldus, 84

Sylvia Rose Marie Baldus, 84, of Austin, died Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002, at Fairview Southdale Hospital, Edina.

She was born Feb. 20, 1918, in Marshall, to Henry George and Emma (Paradis) LaVallie. She completed eighth grade.

On May 25, 1940, she married Russell Ambros Baldus at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin.

Sylvia was a homemaker, a part-time wallpaper hanger with her sister, Laura Gilgenbach, and a caregiver to the elderly.

She enjoyed bowling, baseball games, football games, knitting, quilting and playing cards. She was a member of two 500 card clubs. She was the family historian for many years. One of her latest accomplishments was the completion of a quilt she and her mother had started in the 1940's.

Survivors include daughter, Darlene and Nick Hueser, Inver Grove Heights; sons, Richard and Bonnie Baldus, Ledyart, Conn.; Hector and Ginger Baldus, Burnsville; Lester and Sandy Baldus, Cottage Grove; Michael and Mary Baldus, Burnsville; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brothers, Hector and Joyce LaVallie, Chula Vista, Calif.; Francis and Liz LaVallie, Woodbury.

She was preceded in death by her husband on June 17, 1976; son, Gary Baldus; grandsons, Dennis Baldus and Russell Baldus; sister, Laura Gilgenbach; brothers, Gordon LaVallie and Edward LaVallie.

Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 16, 2002, with a 4 p.m. CCW rosary and a 6:30 p.m. wake service and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

Service: 11 a.m., Saturday, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Paul Nelson officiating.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery.

Funeral Home: Mayer Funeral Home, Austin.