Baumler, Theresa A.

Theresa A. Baumler, 91, of Fort Atkinson, died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, at the Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at St. John's Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, with the Rev. Nick March presiding. Burial will be in St. Luke's Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday and also after 9 a.m. Friday at the Schluter Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, 201 Main St. Fort Atkinson.

Theresa Ann (Franzen) Baumler was born Oct. 31, 1921, the daughter of Joseph Sr. and Kathrina (Boyer) Franzen. Theresa was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke's Catholic Church in St. Lucas, and attended school in St. Lucas. Theresa married Raymond H. Baumler on June 24, 1940, in St. Lucas, and to this union, 14 children were born. Together they farmed near St. Lucas for many years until Ray's death. In 1982, she moved into Fort Atkinson.

Theresa will be remembered for her quilts, pot holders and for her baked goods, especially her homemade bread. She loved to play cards and Chinese checkers. She was a wonderful mother and her greatest joy was hearing her children laugh. Theresa was an active member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, St. John's Catholic Church and the Fort Atkinson Senior Citizen Club. In 2004, Theresa received the Governor's Volunteer Award.

Theresa is survived by her 12 children, William Baumler, Ossian, Dale (Mick) Baumler, Anamosa, Dennis (Pat) Baumler, St. Lucas, Darlene (Gene) Olberding, Dyersville, Irene (Donald) Lynch, New Hampton, Daniel Baumler, St. Lucas, Glen (Hopper) Baumler, Fort Atkinson, Jay (Renee) Baumler, Irvine, Calif., Leon (Gail) Baumler, St. Lucas, Ann (Dean) Schaufenbuel, St. Lucas, John (Anjie) Baumler, Buckner, Mo., and Terry (Carl) Schmitt, Fort Atkinson; along with 35 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are siblings, Carl Franzen, Irvin Franzen, Francis Franzen, Helen (Ronald) Palmersheim and LeRoy (JoAnn) Franzen; and sisters-in-law, Marion Franzen and Eleanora Franzen.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Sr. and Kathrina (Boyer) Franzen; her husband, Raymond “Ray” Baumler in 1981; two children, Theresa Ann in infancy in 1944 and Nancy Havel in 2007; three grandchildren, Sarah Olberding in 1979, Jeanna Lynch in 2007 and Joseph Baumler in 2010; one son-in-law, Joseph Schirmer in 1971; a daughter-in-law, Shirley Baumler in 1978; siblings, Catherine (Roy) Tierney, Marie (Lawrence) Bruening, Leonard (Mary) Franzen, Raymond Franzen, Theckla Franzen in infancy, Louis (Arlene) Franzen and Lawrence (Pat) Franzen; and a sister-in-law, Madeline Franzen.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 12, 2012.