Charles Kenneth Baumler

Charles Kenneth Baumler

Wadena

Charles Kenneth Baumler, 91, of rural Wadena, died surrounded by loving family Saturday evening, Dec. 9, 2023, at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at Bethel Presbyterian Church in West Union with Rev. Don Best officiating and assisted by Alex Popenhagen."For those unable to attend the service, it can be seen using this link, https://youtube.com/live/NjNIwbt97Lg?feature=share. A luncheon will immediately follow the services. Burial with military rites will be at the Lima Cemetery. Visitation will be held 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at Becker & Son Funeral Home in Fayette and for one hour preceding services at the Church on Friday. Memorials may be made in Chuck’s name to the Lima Church and Cemetery Association, West Union Lions Organization, Wadena Veterans Memorial, or Palmer Lutheran Auxiliary Foundation. Becker & Son Funeral Home in Fayette is assisting Charlie’s family. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.

Charles “Chuck” “Charlie” Kenneth Baumler was born Aug. 19, 1932, on a farm near St. Lucas, Iowa, to Vincent Baumler and Ellen (Gager) Baumler Stevens. He went to country school. In 1953 he began active duty with the Army and served during the Korean War. He returned home and lived near Wadena, where he met his wife of 67 years, Patricia Jones. They married Aug. 11, 1956, in Maynard, Iowa. They raised their family on acreages outside of Ossian, Maynard, and Fayette and settled on a farm outside of Wadena. Chuck worked as a farmer, as a type-setter at the Fayette County Union for 28 years, and then as a Postmaster Replacement in Randalia before retiring July 2000. Charlie was a longtime member of the West Union Lions Club (served as treasurer), Palmer Memorial Hospital Board (served as president), Bethel Presbyterian Church and Session Member, Fayette County Zoning Board Member, and Lima Cemetery Association serving as president for 37 years. Charles enjoyed farming, raising sheep and cattle, coon hunting, collecting marbles and coins, and starting each morning with Little Debbie powdered sugar donuts. He also enjoyed their many years in various card clubs. But what truly brought a smile to his face was his children and grandchildren. In his later years, he looked forward to his daily Jeopardy time. Charles was a self-made man, a good provider for his family, with a strong work ethic, a love of the land and his country, and a proud veteran.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Patricia, and their three daughters, Elaine (Gerry) Vande Vorde of Stanley, LeAnn (Ken) Popenhagen of Wadena, and Stacie (Pat) Gorkow of Van Horne; nine grandchildren, Eric Medberry, Laura Albert, Jena Cella, Kenan Willey, Alex Popenhagen, Patrick Gorkow, Bennett Gorkow, Reagan Gorkow, Tiffany Rau, and special granddaughter Bia Malouf Schlesinger in Brazil; 19 great-grandchildren, Isla, Harper, Davis, Daphney, Dora, Maverick, Brooks, Ella, Aubrey, Henry, Jordon, Patrik, Alyson, Morgan, Rachel, Alexa, Amya, Aleya, Trey; and four great-great-grandchildren, Kylier, Kinley, Ellie, Briella. He is also survived by his siblings Rosalyn “Toots” Lucas of Cresco, Richard (Sarah) Baumler of Warner Robins, Ga., and Waneta (Keith) Gage of Oelwein, brother-in-law Ed Gage of Wadena, and sisters-in-law Eileen (Floyd) Fagle of Oelwein, Kathy Jones (Sherwin Skar) of Marshall, Minn., and Susan (Bill) Yarrington of Puposky, Minn. He is also survived and loved by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his great-grandson, Lucas Popenhagen, and his siblings and their spouses, Eleanor (Edwin) Molokken, Robert “Dewey” (Winifred) Baumler, William Lucas, Virginia Gage, and his sister-in-law Cynthia Lantz.