Jacob Baumgartner (Jake)

Strasburg, ND

1940, 762, Custer, F-12, Camp Baker

RAPID CITY - Jacob (Jake) Baumgartner, 88, died peacefully in his home on July 18, 2006.

Jake was born in Strasburg, N.D., July 24, 1917, to Frank and Magdalena (Fix) Baumgartner. His mother preceded him in death during the 1919 flu epidemic. Mary Stach Baumgartner raised him, his older brother Leo, and his other 16 brothers and sisters.

He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and came to Custer, South Dakota, where he met and married Bessie Rice and where they lived most of their married life. Jake joined the Army Air Corps and was stationed in New Guinea. He was discharged with Honors. Jacob enjoyed his career with the U.S. Forest Service in the Elk Mountain District, where he was a fire control officer. He loved to fight fires and led the Black Hat Indian Fighters. He had a passion for hunting, fishing, winning at cards, and gardening. After retirement he included dancing, finding and selling antiques and traveling.

Happy to have shared Jake's life with him are family, friends and relatives way too numerous to mention. He is survived by one son, Mike Baumgartner (Lee), Sioux Falls, SD, and three daughters, Pat Hughes (Jerry) of Broomfield CO; Mary Scull (Jim) of Rapid City and Sandy Engler (Stephen) of Boise, ID. He also has 6 grandchildren, Brian Lapour, Denver, CO; Trudy (Kris) Kuester, Columbus, OH; Travis Baumgartner, Germany, Jason Baumgartner (Tinia) Owatonna, MN, Andy (Jessica) Scull, Rapid City, and Amy Scull, Boston, MA; great-grandchildren, Crysta, Denver; Mackenzie and Michaela, Owatonna, MN, Maddie Grace, Columbus, OH; brothers, Herman Baumgartner, OH; Alvin (Kathryn), ND; Oscar (Shirley), ND, and sisters Angelina (Felix) Miller, ND; Lorraine Davidson, ND, Virginia (John) Westburg, ND; Adeline Duerscherl, MN; Isabelle (Duane) Motsko, MN, and Rose Mary Baumgartner, WI.

He was preceded in death by his wife, mother, father, six brothers and two sisters.

Following the death of his wife gentle care, companionship, and friendship was given Jacob by his friend Joyce Klug.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. today at the Osheim-Catron Funeral Home, with Christian wake services at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 21, at Blessed Sacrament Church with Rev. Andrzej Wyrostek presiding.

Interment, with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273, will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

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