My grandfather, Francis Baatz, started the blueberries before I was born, he even assisted in helping others in the area to establish their own blueberry patches. My parents, Thomas and Mary Baatz, took over the farm after my grandfather died in 1965. They maintained it together until my father died in 1978. Mom then maintained it for 20 years after my father died with the assistance of my sister Deborah and her husband, Gary and children, Thomas and Scott. She remarried in 1998 and with the help of Roy Straubel continued it for another 15 years. Ater Roy died in 2013 I moved back to the farm to assist her and continue the family tradition.
Thomas Baatz
Just to let everyone know. My Mother joined my Father this morning 08/04/25. She was/is 89 years old. The youngest of her siblings and the last to go.
The Patch will be open during this time of reflections under the Honor System. This will be whether or not I am present. I may assist but I cannot promise anything. With over 59 years of picking there are a lot of memories that can be overwhelming at times, especially with no sibling to assist.