Eleventh Generation

260. Karen WALTEMATH was born on 6 July 1963 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁵¹ She died on 28 June 2015 at the age of 51 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁵¹

Obituary Notes: "Karen L. Waltemath, 51, of Tomah passed away Sunday, June 28, 2015, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born July 26, 1963, to Alfred and Joyce (Meltesen) Waltemath in Tomah. Karen was born the fourth of five children.

She attended Tomah High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1981. While in high school, she worked at Burnstad’s Market from 1980 to 1988, as head cashier. In 1983, she was united in marriage to Donn Baumgarten; together they had two children, Michael and Kristi. Karen and her family started farming with Donn’s family in 1988. She married Greg Ingwell, and they later divorced.

Also while farming, she worked at the F&M Bank, later starting at Gerke Excavating that brought her to her current job at Mathy Construction where she started in 2000.

Karen was a current member of the Monroe County women’s pool team and the BCA pool league, First United Methodist Church from 1983 to present and a past member of Tomah I Dividers Snowmobile Club. She had a deep love for watching birds and enjoying their songs.

Karen’s biggest prizes in life were her children, Michael and Kristi, and her three grandsons, Kaden, Benton and Gavin. She loved to listen to them talk while they played and learned so much from them. Karen also enjoyed the rest of her family and having get-togethers. Her girlfriends would get together when they could and go Amish flower shopping for flowers and things that were fun to search out, but not always needed. There were so many good laughs. Camping and music festivals also brought old and new friends together for many good times, good wine and good friends..

She is survived by her son, Michael Baumgarten (Amber Antony;) and grandsons, Kaden and Gavin; her daughter, Kristi Baumgarten (Kasey Pierce;) and grandson, Benton Johnson; her mother, Joyce Waltemath; her brothers, Rick (Lisa) Waltemath, Randy (Alicia) Waltemath, Thomas (Laurie) Waltemath and James Waltemath; nephews and nieces, Erick (Jessica) and Sara, Destiny (Ethan,) Annie and Alfred, Brooke (Dustin) and Kyle, Danielle (Ray) and Nick; great-nieces and nephews, Amanda and Emmalyn, Blaine and Brilee, Carter; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Alfred, in 2011; grandparents, William and Jennie (Wood) Waltemath, Andrew and Thelma (Pratt) Meltesen; a great-nephew, William Waltemath; and cousin, Susan Cornwell.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. today at United Methodist Church in Tomah. The Rev. William McBride will officiate. Burial will be held in St. Peters Cemetery, Shennington."

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Karen WALTEMATH and Donn Earl BAUMGARTEN were married in 1983.¹⁵¹ Donn Earl BAUMGARTEN, son of Gale BAUMGARTEN and Helen Marie OLMSTEAD, was born on 16 June 1960.¹⁵² He died on 9 July 2009 at the age of 49 in La Crosse, La Crosse County, WI.¹⁵²

Obituary Notes: "Donn Earl Baumgarten, age 49, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Thursday, July 9, 2009, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. He was born on June 16, 1960, to Gale and Helen Baumgarten. He was a 1978 graduate of Tomah High School.

Donn worked for eight years on the Gary Jensen Cranberry Marsh. He then took over the family farm, which he ran for three years. He then worked for Toro for a few years before purchasing Bunk’s Meat Market in Kendall in 1998. In 1999 he renamed the business, Don’s Quality Meats, where he was still currently operating.

He was united in marriage to Karen Olson on Feb. 8, 2003. Donn loved the outdoors, especially, turkey and deer hunting, camping, four wheeling and fishing. He enjoyed sitting around campfires, telling stories and talking smart. He loved spending time with his family and loved ones more than anything.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Baumgarten of Tomah; his mother, Helen Baumgarten of Tomah; his children, Kristi Baumgarten and Michael (Lara) Baumgarten, all of Kendall; stepchildren, Jenny Lein of Ripon, Kyra Lein of Camp Douglas, and James Lein of Camp Douglas; grandchildren, Kaden Baumgarten of Kendall, Reed and Raiden Lein of Ripon, and one expected granddaughter; brothers, Dave (Helen) Baumgarten of Springbrook, WI, Dean (Priscilla) Baumgarten of Tomah, Dennis Baumgarten of Tomah, Dan (Bernise) Baumgarten of Tomah; his mother-in-law, Beverly Olson of Cashton a special aunt, Jeanette Baumgarten of La Crosse; special high school friends, Mike Stump, Frank Stump and Lee Jaromin; special neighbors, Bob and Linda Stump and LaVern Bernhardt.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gale; and his father-in-law, LeRoy Olson.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 15, at 11 a.m. at The First United Methodist Church in Tomah. Pastor William Swan officiated. Family and friends called on Tuesday, July 14, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah assisted the family with arrangements."

Karen WALTEMATH and Donn Earl BAUMGARTEN had the following children:

Karen WALTEMATH and Gregg INGWELL were married about 1990.¹⁵¹ They¹⁵¹ were divorced.¹⁵¹ Gregg INGWELL was born (date unknown).