Else Baumann, 92, of Benton Harbor, passed away Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at Lakeland Medical Center – St. Joseph.
A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 11 AM at First Congregation United Church of Christ, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor Jeffrey Hubers officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, October 28, 2018 from 1 PM until 3 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, as well as, on Monday from 10 AM until 11 AM at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church – Benton Harbor or The D.A.N.K. Chapter 13. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Else was born on February 28, 1926, to Otto Gustav and Herta Helene (Radtke) Böhnke in Soczewka, Poland. She attended trade school in her earlier years where she learned how to be a switchboard operator. On November 24, 1945, she married the love of her life, Josef Baumann, in Germany. They were happily married for nearly 60 years before his passing in 2005. For many years, she worked at Heath/Zenith in their assembly department and she farmed fruits and vegetables on her family farm. In 1959, Else and Josef co-founded and opened the D.A.N.K. Chapter 13, where they celebrated their German heritage with many friends and family. Else was a proud member of FrauenGruppe, meaning Woman’s Group, at the D.A.N.K. and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Most important to Else was her family. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her generosity and caring personality was always so giving. Friends and family never left with an empty stomach or empty hands after visiting her. Else will be missed dearly by all.
Else is survived by her children, Barbara (Gary) Callendar of Benton Harbor, Gary (Denise) Baumann of Vicksburg, Josef (Kathy) Baumann of Buchanan, and Elise (Rickey) Smith of Fayetteville, NC; grandchildren, Amy (Dave), Rory (Jenni), William (Melinda White), Jeremy, Michelle, Bethanie (Dan), Jessica, Robert (Sarah), Josef II, and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Benjamin, Madison, Chloe, Josie, Maxwell, Noah, Caleb, Karah, Jane, and Eleanor; brother, Horst (UlaBrit) Böhnke; niece, Bärbel Rulff; and a very large extended family.
Else was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Josef; siblings, Erika & Waldemar; and son-in-law, Rickey Smith.
Posted On: Thursday, October 25, 2018 3:34 PM
