Baumgartner, Earl G.

Earl G. Baumgartner, 81, of Elkader, died Saturday evening at Central Community Hospital in Elkader. Funeral services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Peace United Church of Christ, Elkader, with Pastor Andrea Mericle officiating. Inurnment, with military honors: East Side Cemetery, Elkader. Visitation: 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Earl was born at home on the family farm, rural West Union, on Aug. 3, 1928, to Elmer and Gladys (Olson) Baumgartner. He attended country school through the eighth grade, and then farmed with his parents. In November 1951, he entered the service, being discharged in April 1953. Earl served during the Korean War, where he attained the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. He served as a squad leader in Company B of the Division 17 Regiment. Earl earned the Combat Infantry Badge and Korean and United Nations service ribbons. He was also an expert rifleman. Following his discharge, he returned home and worked for his Uncle Oscar Possehl, installing Terrazzo flooring for a few years.

In 1955, he was united in marriage to Inge Ruff, and they celebrated 54 years together. Two sons were born to them, Audie and Terry. Together they farmed with Inge's sister Ilse and her husband, Leo Koehn, for many years; and eventually Marcus and Dianna Baumgartner joined the group. In 2004, Earl and Inge sold the farm, retaining one acre, where they built a new home.

Earl was a member of American Legion Post 106 in Elkader for 29 years where he actively participated in military funerals for many years. He enjoyed fishing, doing crossword puzzles, putting together jigsaw puzzles, watching numerous game shows, sporting events, playing cards and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.

He is survived by his wife, Inge Baumgartner of Elkader; sons, Audie (Diane) Baumgartner of Guttenberg and Terry Baumgartner of Elkader; three stepgrandchildren, Travis, Trey and Tara Bries; brothers, Wayne (Joyce) Baumgartner of Elkader and Lloyd (Ruth) Baumgartner of Iowa City; sisters, Betty Marmann of Elkader, Mary (Dick) Heiden of Elkader and Louise (Larry) Grimm of Kasson, Minn.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Gladys Baumgartner; infant sister, Dorothy Baumgartner; brother-in-law, Everett Marmann; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Martha Ruff; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marianne and Bill Horns; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ilse and Leo Koehn; niece, Debra Baumgartner; and three nephews, David Marmann, Phillip Grimm and Richard Horns.

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