Elmer [son of Albert & Minnie Baumgarten] grew up on farms near Clarinda and Hawleyville, Iowa. He began his school at Center public school across the road from their farm home. That teacher found him quick and sharp and promoted him two grades. He then attended Immanuel Lutheran parochial school in 7th and 8th grades and was Confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church near Clarinda, Iowa. He graduated from Clarinda High School at the age of 16.

He farmed with his father until he and his friend Wendell Otte enlisted in WWII. At that time, the physical showed that he had probably had TB or similar problem as a child. He was advised to find another career as the dander from hogs and cattle plus chaff from wheat and oats would cause problems for his lungs. He elected to become a mortician. He served a year's apprenticeship, attended a college in St Louis, Mo., and another year's apprenticeship. He purchased a mortuary in Sutherland, Iowa. This was a large home which could be converted into space for funeral services as well as the area for embalming. This business grew and by the late 1990's he and his son Steven owned and operated four mortuaries in Hartley where Elmer and Julie lived, Spencer which Steve and his family lived, plus homes in two other near-by towns, Sutherland and Peterson, Iowa. The funeral homes were sold in the early 1990's.

Elmer held a pilot's license and owned 25 % interest in a small plane. He flew well past his 70th birthday.

Elmer and Julie continued to live in Hartley for a short time after selling the funeral homes; then moved to Des Moines, where their two daughters lived. Subsequently, Elmer and Julia nd the girls spent a year in Las Vegas, and then moved to Tucson, AZ where they lived in Tucson Estates. Elmer was active in the bowling league as well as golfing at the TE course. He died following surgery for lung cancer. He is buried in Hartley, Iowa.

Elmer was the writer's "big brother" favorite Baumgarten cousin. He saw to it that I got to attend things that I would only be allowed to with him. He continued to be close throughout our life times. I miss picking up the conversation right where we left off last!

Elmer Fred Henry Baumgarten, 82, of Tucson, Ariz., died May 4 at St Mary's Hospital there of complications of surgery. The body was cremated, and graveside services will be at 11 am June 21 at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hartley.

Mr Baumgarten was born near Clarinda and had lived in Clarinda, Sutherland, Hartley, Des Moines and Las Vegas before moving to Tucson in 1998. He was a retired funeral director and had owned Baumgarten Funeral Homes in Spencer, Hartley, Sutherland and Peterson and had formerly worked for funeral homes in Clinton, Webster City and Jewell. He was involved in other business ventures, including retail appliances and a gift shop. He was a member of Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Tucson, a past president and 50-year member of Iowa Funeral Directors Association, a former Boy Scout leader and a former board member of Hartley Hospital, O'Brien County school board and Meadowbrook Golf Course. He obtained his pilot's license at the age of 56 and enjoyed fishing and bowling.

He is survived by his wife, Julie; a son, Steve of Des Moines; two daughters, Lori of Tucson and Carole Baumgarten of Tucson, who was Drake University's first women's basketball coach and a former director with the Des Moines YWCA; and four grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Elmer Baumgarten Memorial Fund, 5560 West Flying W., Tucson, Ariz., 85713. Warner Funeral Home in Hartley is handling arrangemtns.

newspaper - Friday, May 18, 2001, Page 7B [Des Moines Register?]