Obituaries

JOYCE E. BAUMGART  was born 08/09/1939 in New Lisbon, Wisconsin to Andrew Martin and Eva (Snyder) Martin.  She was the last living grandchild to James (Jens) Christian Martin and Anna Ferguson (Sorensen) Martin who were the first generation of immigrants from Sulsted, Denmark.  They came to Canada taking the St. Lawrence Seaway to Racine, Wisconsin then settling in New Lisbon.

Joyce attended school in New Lisbon. She was the 8th grade ping pong champion. In high school she played the clarinet in the band and played piano for boys, girls, and mixed choir. At the age of 17 she started playing the organ for the East Lemonweir Church until she married. Joyce loved to dance, her dance partner was John Belski, and they started dancing in the 6^th grade and danced together until her wedding day. During the summers she would go to the Chicago Suburb and stay with her sister, Evelyn to work and make some money for her school clothes.

 After high school she attended the Juneau County Teacher’s College. It was there that she met her husband Otto Baumgart. They both got their license and moved to Rochester, Wisconsin to start their careers in education. Her first teaching job was a one room schoolhouse called Pleasant View Elementary, where she taught all 8 grades. In 1963 they moved to Adams, Wisconsin when Otto took a job teaching 8^th grade in the Adams Grade School. Joyce began teaching for the Adams-Friendship School District in 1967. When she started back teaching in Adams, she told her children Sherry and Scott, now remember I don’t only have you two, but 24 other children now.  She was Title1 at Grand Marsh, Brooks and Castle Rock Grade Schools. Then she taught Kindergarten at Pineland and Roche-a-Cri, 8^th grade at Castle Rock Grade School, 4^th grade at Adams Grade School and Friendship Grade School. Her musical talent was admired when she and Bob Peligrin performed the Country Western Shows out at Castle Rock Grade School and when she had her 4^th graders put on a Veterans Program for the veterans and community. She had a 30 year career in education.

It was in 1971 that Joyce received her Bachelor’s Degree from Stevens Point. It took her 15 years taking night classes, working full time and raising a family. She definitely was the example of perseverance.

Some of her past students have described her as one of their favorites. One stated that he didn’t realize it until he was older that she was firm, fair and direct and thinks of her fondly and frequently, especially now that he is close to 61 years of age. Another stated she showed empathy, compassion and made a difference to many students. When in public she loved running into her past students. They always approached her with respect and “Great to see you, Mrs. Baumgart” She felt her greatest achievement teaching was that her kindergartners were reading at the 1^st grade level.

She did take a break from teaching for 2 years and was a social worker at Villa Pines Nursing Center in the 1970’s. Her love of teaching drew her back into that field.

She played organ for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adams from 1964 through the 1990’s and was also a Sunday school teacher.

In 1979 Joyce and Otto built their own home in which she still resided. She lost Otto after 26 years of marriage.

Joyce eventually met LeRoy (Shorty) Thompson and his son Tim. Joyce so enjoyed the spontaneity of adventures he brought to the relationship along with his kindness and love of life. They had 28 years together.  Tim married Donna Thurber and with their daughter Cammie have always remained close.

Joyce’s love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren made her bust with pride.  That love will never fade.

Joyce loved her dog Cuddles, she became her best friend and that dog made her laugh every day. Joyce enjoyed working in her yard picking up sticks, enjoying nature and riding her lawn mower taking care of her 6 lots.

She had great adventures traveling with Roberta Ebert upon retirement, going to dinner plays and bus trips and resale shopping with her daughter and visiting her son on his naval bases.

We extend love and gratitude to Cathy Barnes for always being available to our family anytime, to Jeff and Sandra Baumgartner and Vickie Totton for your 40+ years of love, friendship, cherished memories and laughter. Mark Hein the “prodigal” son who always found his home with us for security and stability. He brought so much laughter and adventures.

It was an early Sunday morning when Mark brought his younger sister to town for Sunday school, while waiting on her he made his way to the Baumgart house as usual made himself at home. He put on a pot of coffee. Otto and Joyce found themselves waking from their slumber to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. After asking one another if they had made it and realizing neither had they ventured out to the kitchen to find Mark enjoying a cup of coffee! He remarked “Good Morning!! I made you a pot of coffee!”

Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   John 13:34

 So thankful to Mile Bluff Emergency Dept, her primary caregivers (Christine, Dr. Dan, Laura and Margaret), Mile Bluff Physical Therapy Dept (Rachel and Amber), Mile Bluff Audiology Dept (Colleen), Heartland Hospice (Laura, MJ, Ashley, Katie, and Anne).

Family members who preceded:

Otto Baumgart (spouse)

Allen Martin (Gladys) (brother and sister in law)

Glenn Martin (Maria) (brother and sister in law)

Evelyn Nelson (Raymond) (sister and brother in law)

LeRoy Thompson (significant other)

Edna Jensen (Richard) (sister in law and brother in law)

Jon Wilson (brother in law)

Mark Wilson (nephew)

Eric Nelson (nephew)

Survivors:

Sherry Baumgart (daughter), Adams, WI

Scott Baumgart (Sarah) (son), Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Scott Baumgart Jr. (Sarah) (grandson) Springfield, MO

Brystal Kondratuk (Nathan) (granddaughter) Brookings, SD

Lois Baumgart (great granddaughter) Springfield, MO

Otto Baumgart III (great grandson) Springfield, MO

Nora Kondratuk (great granddaughter) Brookings, SD

Ellie Joyce Kondratuk (great granddaughter) Brookings, SD

Isaac Kondratuk (great grandson) Brookings, SD

Tim Thompson (Donna) (stepson) Lyndon Station, WI

Cammie Thompson (stepgrandaughter) Lyndon Station, WI

Geraldine Rattunde (Carl) (sister in law and brother in law) Necedah, WI

Frances Wilson (sister in law) Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Richard Baumgart (Jeanne) (brother in law and sister in law) Necedah, WI

Other survivors include nieces and nephews and their children.

Memorial service will be 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9^th, 2026 at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, WI 53934.  Pastor Terri Skildum will officiate.  Visitation will be on Saturday, May 9^th from 10 a.m. until the time of service.  Interment will be at Bay View Cemetery in Necedah, Wisconsin at a later date.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home (www.roseberrys.com ) is assisting the family.  

Larry J. Schmidtke Sr., age 89, of Adams, Wisconsin passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years Karen, and his children Peggy (Harold) Richards of Rockton, IL; Larry J. Schmidtke Jr. of Machesney Park, IL; Penny (Paul) Lipinski of Machesney Park, IL; Michael (Chenelle) of Toledo, OH., and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Larry retired from Chrysler Corporation in Belvidere, IL after 27 years.  Following his retirement, Larry and Karen moved to Quincy and most recently Adams.

A memorial gathering will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Friendship Village Hall in Friendship, Wisconsin. A memorial service will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with Pastor Brian Beardsley officiating.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family.  Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.

Kenneth D. Ebsen, age 89, of Oxford, Wisconsin passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026, at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 8th, 2026, at The First Presbyterian Church of Oxford in Oxford, WI with Pastor Breanda Pulver officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM with services at 11:00 am. A lunch will follow in the basement of The First Presbyterian Church of Oxford. Burial will be at Easton Cemetery at 1:00 P.M. following the luncheon for friends and family who wish to join.

Ken was born May 25, 1936, the youngest son of Harry and Lois (Brown) Ebsen in Easton, Wisconsin. Ken graduated from Wisconsin Dells high school in 1954. During high school he spent time working with his brother learning how to fix cars. After graduation he began working at Dairy Equipment company in Madison as a welder. He was there when he was drafted into the Army in 1959. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to his welding job in Madison, WI.

Ken married Dorothy Behnke in February of 1966 they were married for 21 years and had two daughters Cindy and Melanie. Ken spent many years as a single man enjoying the freedom to move around. He moved from Madison to Evansville, to Tomahawk, to Pardeeville and finally to Oxford where he found peace and happiness. During this time, he met Evelyn Huffman through their love of Maggie Mae’s music. They married in May of 2018 and were happily married until her death in 2020 after a short battle with Cancer. Evelyn was pivotal in Ken joining the First Presbyterian Church of Oxford. Ken liked to keep busy and held many jobs in his lifetime. He worked as a Manufacturing Engineer at Dairy Equipment Company and later held similar titles at Varco-Prudent in Evansville, Northland Stainless in Tomahawk, and Everbrite in Pardeeville. Upon retirement from engineering jobs, he worked as a parts delivery driver for Weaver Auto parts while he also was writing his own newspaper he would distribute around town called the Pardeeville Liberator. He loved writing stories, sharing recipes, sharing his views, and telling jokes. Eventually he moved this to an online format and moved to creating joke books and recipe books which he shared with others. Ken spent lots of time with his brother selling antiques and other collectables at flea markets. He used his writing skills to help publish his church’s newsletter as well.

Ken enjoyed music. He enjoyed live shows and really enjoyed Maggie Mae’s barn dances. He loved to share his views, jokes and recipes both online and in books. At every family gathering he would bring a new type of cheesecake he was trying. He always wanted to share his new recipes with all his friends and family. His family will miss his corn casserole.

Ken was a member of the American Welding society for 25+ years. He was also a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Oxford where was a church elder.

Ken was preceded in death by his mother Lois (Brown) Ebsen, his father Harry Ebsen, his eldest brother Lester Ebsen, his wife Evelyn (Huffman) Ebsen and his sister in laws, Lorraine Ebsen, Julie Ebsen, and Marion Ebsen.

Ken is survived by his two older brothers Lyle Ebsen and Keith Ebsen, his daughters Cindy Ebsen, Melanie (Brett) Stapelmann, his grandchildren Bradley (Sarah) Sheffer, Makayla Stapelmann, Jess Maden. Many nieces, nephews and great nieces, and nephews.

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences and further information.

June Louise Herrmann, 102, of Mauston, Wisconsin, died at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mauston on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and is now with her Lord.

June was born on November 6, 1923 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Henry and Louise (Behling) Westerman.  She was confirmed on March 21, 1937, and graduated from Rufus King High School in one of its early graduating classes.  She married Reverend Max Herrmann, a graduate of the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, on June 22, 1947, and supported his ministry as a pastor’s wife in Bison, South Dakota; Kendall, Wisconsin; Manitowoc, Wisconsin; and Mauston, Wisconsin.  She loved serving the Lord by enhancing the service with organ music to accompany the Gospel message.  She was also highly regarded as a legal secretary, working for many years in the Mauston law firm of Vieth & Feldman.  She excelled at many needle crafts and especially valued the hours she spent with a circle of skilled knitters from the Mauston area.

She is survived by her daughter Kathleen (William Gresens) of La Crosse, WI: three grandchildren:  Elizabeth (Thomas) Teegan of Holmen, WI, and their children, Tommy and Jack; Nicholas (Jill) Gresens of Rochester, NY, and their son, Connor; and Joseph (Anjali) Gresens of Norfolk, VA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Max, and her son James.

Funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mauston, where friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.

Interment will be at the Mauston Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Fair View Home, who gave June such loving care in the last months of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mauston; St. Luke Lutheran Church, New Lisbon WI; or to the James B. Herrmann Memorial Scholarship Fund at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN.