Mary Elizabeth Baxter

Mary Elizabeth Baxter (nee Gnabasik) 82, of Jefferson passed away peacefully at Edgerton Care Center in Edgerton on Friday, August 14, 2026.

She was born on February 7, 1944, to the late Stephen and Elizabeth (nee Fiedler) Gnabasik and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1963. She was married to George Baxter in 1989, proceeding her in death in 2017.

Mom loved camping, traveling to Hawaii where she and George married, knitting which she made hats for babies and donated to FAMH, and sewing making her children’s clothing for years and even making and altering bridal gowns. She had a ceramics business in her home where she created and sold beautiful ceramic pieces for many years and where she taught it for 4-H. She provided child care in her home for more than 2 decades, long after her own children were gone with those children becoming part of her extended family and calling her Grandma Mary. She stayed active in the community thru AFS exchange programs seeing her family grow by 2 special daughters. Most recently mom worked at Kwik Trip as a food sampler before retiring in 2024. She was a people person and they were naturally drawn to her making work seem more like a gathering of friends.

She was deeply devoted to her faith; she was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and sang in the church choir for many years. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, always showing up for school and sporting events. Mary had a beautiful smile and contagious laugh. She had the biggest heart and touched the lives of everyone around her.

She is survived by her companion of 7 years Christopher Klinger Jefferson, her children Mary Kaye Powell Jefferson, Kelly Jo (Chuck) Moehling Johnson Creek and John William (Becky) Powell Jefferson; grandchildren Beth Powell (Nick) Jefferson, Taylor Moehling Dublin CA, Lucas (Natalie) Moehling Johnson Creek, Austin Moehling Johnson Creek, Paige Powell Waterloo, Rylee (Riley) Marvin Moses Lake WA, Tarek Powell Jefferson and Karsen Powell Appleton; great grandson Bryce Moehling Johnson Creek; sister Genevieve (Don) Wanke Ixonia; the father of her children L. John Powell Jefferson; good friends Ann & Greg Genswold Jefferson; AFS daughters Gladys Villaluenga of Argentina, Michelle (Neal)Durant of Barbados; and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

She was greeted at Heaven’s gates by her parents; husband; brother Gerald Gnabasik; sisters Joanne (and Jim) Stacey, Patricia (and Roy) Fietzek; nephew James Stacey and faithful companions Toby and Scooter.

Per Mary’s wishes, she will be cremated with services on Thursday August 27, 2026.

VISITATION: The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 324 E. North St., Jefferson.

SERVICE: A Memorial Mass in remembrance of Mary will be at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home has been entrusted with Mary's arrangements.

Donations may be made to the family, or in Mary’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.