Irene Baumgart

Irene was called to her eternal rest on Tuesday evening, January 9, 2024 at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont, Minn.

Messages of Sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.kramerfuneralhome.com

Irene Clara Krukemeyer was born on Feb. 20, 1924 in Alpha Township, Jackson County, the daughter of Louise (Bartosh) Krukemeyer and Joseph Krukemeyer. Irene, along with two sisters and three brothers, grew up on a farm near Brewster, Minn. She attended Brewster Public School, graduating from high school with the class of 1941. As a teenager she was a member of the Brewster Girls Drum and Bugle Corp.

On July 29, 1943, Irene Krukemeyer and Arnold Baumgart were married at the Catholic rectory in Dundee, Minn. Arnold’s furlough soon ended and he returned to California where he was stationed with the army during WWII. Irene later joined him there and in Florida when he was transferred. After his discharge from the Army, they returned to the Brewster area. They were blessed with a family of three daughters, Susan, Julie and Connie and two sons, Ronald and Jerome.

In 1952 the family moved to Good Thunder, Minn. where Arnold was employed as a station agent for the Milwaukee Railroad. In 1962 they moved to Welcome, Minn. where Arnold continued his railroad employment. Welcome was their home for the next fifty years.

Irene was employed at the J.C. Penny store in Fairmont for two years and at the Fairmont Community Hospital for sixteen years. She was a member of St. Lukes Catholic Church in Sherburn, Minn. She served her parish as a trustee, member of the church council, lector and communion minister and was an active member of the C.C.W. Irene was a member of the Welcome Legion Auxiliary. Here also, she was willing to take on leadership duties, serving her unit as secretary and president.

After retirement, Arnold and Irene had time to travel to all parts of the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. They often went with tour groups traveling by motorcoach.

In 2013, they moved to Goldfinch Estates assisted living facility in Fairmont, Minn. In later years, Irene enjoyed evening walks, word puzzle books that were in the basket near her chair and a jigsaw puzzle was on a table nearby. She found a renewed interest in books and would read aloud to Goldfinch residents. Sewing and quilting had been part of her life in earlier times. Her favorite volunteer projects were designing and sewing quilt tops for mission quilts. When adult coloring books became popular, she found a new way to work with color and design.

She was an enthusiastic fan of the activities her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren took part in. A fan also of the Twins and Vikings.

After Arnold’s death in 2015 Irene continued living at Goldfinch Estates.

She is survived by her daughters; Susan (Dennis) Crissinger of rural Sherburn, Minn., Julie (Earl) Ricard of Northrop, Minn., Connie Williams of Welcome, Minn.; Son; Jerome (Susan) Baumgart of Waukee, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Mary Baumgart of Apple Valley, Minn.;

Grandchildren, Amy (Mark) Crissinger, Emily (Brett) Crissinger, Jeffrey (Leslie) Crissinger, Benjamin Baumgart, Kristen (Jeffery) Bennett, Anthony Baumgart, Lucas (Sara) Cyphers and Jennifer (Bradey) Schmidt.

Step grandchildren, Terry (Shelley) Williams, Jodi (Todd) Jordan, Valerie (Andy) Lowe, Lee (Lori) Ohnemus, Kyle Ohnemus, Patrick MacEnany, Jennifer MacEnany, Cathrine MacEnany and Bergit (Dave) Kring; Fourteen great grandchildren and sixteen step great grandchildren and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Louise Krukemeyer; her husband, Arnold; son, Ronald; son-in-law, Bradley Williams; granddaughter, Katie Poppe; step grandson, Cory Williams; sisters; Helen (George) Frey and Margaret (Daniel) Silver; brothers; Frank (Ethel), Joseph (Helene) and Richard (Rose Pat) Krukemeyer.