Josephine "Mitzi" Baustian

Mitzi (Josephine Lucille Adams) Baustian was born November 27, 1931, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to James and Marguerite (Castle) Adams. Mitzi's grandma helped raise her as an infant and had decided that Josephine was too long of a name for someone so small and called her Mitzi and the name remained with her for the rest of her life. Mitzi's sacramental life as well as her education was at St Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls. She graduated from Cathedral High School in 1950. She then briefly attended Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota but came back to Sioux Falls to work at Kresge department store.

Mitzi met her lifetime dance partner at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls. On June 5, 1952, she was united in marriage to Virgil (Bud) Baustian at the Cathedral in Sioux Falls. Following their marriage, they farmed near Beaver Creek, Hardwick and then moved to Jasper, MN where they farmed until retirement. Mitzi was primarily a housewife who kept the car moving with her volunteering, children and grandchildren and their activities.

Mitzi was a member of St. Joseph in Jasper until closing in 2017, then joining St. Leo in Pipestone. She was busy at church as a lector, a eucharistic minister and a teacher. She was very active in the Council of Catholic Women at St. Joseph as well on the Diocesan Board as president. She received the Bishop Award for her service to CCW. She also was a member of the Social Concerns Committee and a Eucharistic minister going to the homebound.

Mitzi was very involved in her community. She was a Cub Scout Den Leader, a member of Progress Study Club, Red Hats, Jasper Senior Citizens, the Quartzsiter Club, Jasper Historical Society, Hit & Miss Extension Club, Rock County Hospice, Pipestone County Hospice, and a 25-year volunteer at PCMC.

Mitzi enjoyed cooking and baking, making sweets for many. She was especially known for her mock angel food cake. Over the years she has made many birthday, graduation, and about 200 wedding cakes. She was a Coffee League bowler in Jasper. She played pinochle with many groups. She enjoyed going on and helping to plan many 4th Degree Knights of Columbus bus trips with Branson as one of her favorite destinations. Mitzi and Bud also traveled to family and friends around the country, spending several winters in southern Texas.

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Mitzi passed away peacefully at the Pipestone County Hospice House in Pipestone, Minnesota.

Mitzi is lovingly remembered by her sons; Jerry (Julie) of Dell Rapids, SD, Jim (Carolynn) of Jasper, MN. Grandchildren; Katie (Dale), Dan (Kelsey), Betsy (Trent), Tim (Carissa), Jeff (Jessica), Rick (Ali), John, Becca (Joel), and Joe. Great-grandchildren; Isaac, Emily, Bennett, Kenzie, Eli, Gabby, Kayden, Miriam, Anna, Levi, and John Paul. She is also survived by her brother; Bud Adams of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and sisters-in-law; Neva Clausen (Luverne), Jean Baustian (Luverne), and Sr. Joan Baustian (Adrian, MI). She was preceded in death by her husband; Bud, her son; Dan, her parents; Jim and Marguerite, her sisters; Pauline Hanson, Gussie Lewis, Susan Thomas, and her brother; Jim Adams.