Clara Elise Anna Baumgarten, 98, of North Freedom

Clara Elise Anna Baumgarten, 98, of North Freedom, died on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 at the Sauk County Health Care Center, where she has resided for the past two years.

Mrs. Baumgarten was born to August and Emma (Koenig) Luetkens on April 1, 1911 in the town of Westfield, Sauk County.  She was baptized on April 23, 1911 and confirmed on April 25, 1925 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Loganville.

On April 22, 1932, she was united in marriage to Martin H. Baumgarten and lived all of their married life in the town of Freedom.

Mrs. Baumgarten was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Rock Springs where she was a member of the Ladies Aid, past Sunday school teacher and choir member. She was also a charter member of the Diamond Hill Homemakers Club, Sauk County 4-H leader, Diamond Hill School Board member and active in numerous community affairs. She was also known for hatching eggs for many people.  

Mrs. Baumgarten is survived by four children, Lois (Rev. Richard) Strobel, of Baraboo, Lyle Baumgarten, of Lime Ridge, Charlene (Rev. Richard) Lauersdorf, of Jackson and David (Carol) Baumgarten, of North Freedom; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two step-great- granddaughters; three step-great-great-granddaughters; one sister, Violet Vinz, of Reedsburg; three sisters-in-law, Marie Baumgarten, of Oshkosh, Mary Ellen Baumgarten and Elda Luetkens, both of Reedsburg; a brother-in-law, Melvin Baumgarten, of Loganville; nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of dear friends.  

In addition to her husband who past away on Sept. 28, 1992, she was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Lorna Baumgarten in December 1991; two sisters, Louise in 1919 and Norma Reinecke in July 2003 and her brother, Gerhard "Barney" Luetkens in December 2008.

Funeral services for Clara Baumgarten were Oct. 17 at St. John Lutheran Church in Rock Springs with Rev. Paul Schroeder officiating.  Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery in North Freedom.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. John Lutheran Church would be appreciated.