Spread Eagle-
Baumgart, Kenneth J (Ken), age 91, passed peacefully on September 19, 2016. Ken was born on June 16, 1925 in Bellevue, Wisconsin on the family farm homestead. It was in this home that Ken and his siblings were born and raised. He and his siblings eventually attended school in the nearby one room schoolhouse that was the first school in the area and was built on the Baumgart homestead. Ken’s parents Anton Baumgart (1893-1981) and Oar (Anna) Boerschinger Baumgart (1892-1987) continued operating the dairy farm and boarded the local schoolteacher. The farm was known in the area for its high quality milk and for the dedication of the Baumgart extended family to civic involvement, educational support, church, country and family. These hardworking ancestors passed on these values and abilities to their children including Ken.

Ken excelled in school and graduated at age 16 from Central Catholic HS in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He then ran away and joined the army in 1943 serving as a Private First Class at Headquarters Company also serving as a Sargent in the Engineering Section in the European Theatre during WWII. He returned state side after finishing his tour of duty.

Returning to the Green Bay area, Ken met and married Marcy Jauquet in 1947 and relocated to Madison, Wisconsin where he studied at the University. Ken re-enlisted, enter O.C.S. training and served a tour of duty in Korea. It did take him almost 50 years before he could consume rice again.

With a young family, Ken returned to Green Bay and started the Ken Baumgart Construction Company and built homes for over 25 years. He served as President of Brown County Home Builders Association, was Supervisor for the Bellevue Township and served as Commander of the VFW.

His love of the north woods including hunting, fishing and nature activities with his family motivated Ken and Marcy in 1958 to build a cottage in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin. They made this cottage their permanent home in 1976 where Ken resided until his death. Ken continued to work in construction and also served on the Florence County Board of Commissioners, as the Florence County Veterans Officer and Commander the Florence VFW.

Ken was a fun loving man, always ready with a quick joke, was an early adopter of technology, enjoyed reading and loved to invent what he needed. He had a well-stocked candy cupboard and was widely known for keeping the family tradition of making Booyah on summer holiday weekends.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Ora Baumgart, his brothers Anthony (Tony) and Robert (Bob) and his sister Shirley Gephart. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Marcy (Jauquet) Baumgart, and his brother Donald (Donny), as well as his 12 children – Diane Baumgart (Myron), Kenneth C Baumgart (Julie), Tom Baumgart (Victoria), John Baumgart, Bruce Baumgart (Betsy), Betsy Freiburger (John), Teri Sanborn (Bill), Nick Baumgart (Anne), Edie Baumgart, Sarah Baumgart, Ben Baumgart (Kelly), Annie Shears (Jim). In addition, Ken had 25 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held Saturday, September 24, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Florence. VFW Post #3635 of Florence will accord Military Honors Saturday, 10:45 a.m. at the church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Fr. Matt Settle will officiate. Burial will take place at St. Mary Cemetery, Commonwealth Wis.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Ken or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence, to honor Ken’s legacy of life.