Michael "Mike" Anthony Baehr

Michael “Mike” Anthony Baehr, was born October 26, 1936, in Long Beach, CA, to Maximillian Joseph and Lillian (Held) Baehr. He was graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Long Beach, CA, and attended Long Beach University for two years. He then transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, where he finished with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business and marketing. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. He remained lifelong friends with many of the brothers.

One summer while in college, he and a fraternity brother took their ukuleles and hitch-hiked across the United States, stopping in various cities, and knocking on doors, where they sang a song they wrote asking for food and lodging in return for “mowing the lawn, washing dishes or whatever your wishes.” They were never turned down.

Following graduation, Mike worked in San Francisco for two years, then joined the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge, he again worked in San Francisco. He was an accomplished pianist, and occasionally went to renowned jazz pianist and composer Vince Guardaldi’s home where they played duets on Guardaldi’s two grand pianos. While in San Francisco, he met Margaret Ann (Peg) Kelly and they were married in Emmetsburg, IA, on May 6, 1967.

In 1970, the couple returned to Iowa to make their home in Spencer and Okoboji.

Mike was a member of Rotary and served on the Spencer Library Board as president for many years.

Mike died on Monday July 6, 2026 at Spencer Post Acute Rehab Center in Spencer, at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife, Peg, son Matthew Edward Baehr, Minneapolis, MN, daughter Kelly Lisa Baehr, and grandchildren Kevan, Ryan and Amelia Mokashi, all of Pleasanton, CA.

*In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

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