Theresa Baumler

Theresa A. Baumler, age 91, of Fort Atkinson died Sunday, December 9, 2012 at the Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 14 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, with Rev. Nick March presiding. Burial will be in St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Thursday, December 13 and also after 9 a.m. Friday morning at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel in Fort Atkinson.
Theresa Ann (Franzen) Baumler was born October 31, 1921, the daughter of Joseph Sr. and Kathrina (Boyer) Franzen. Theresa was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas and attended school in St. Lucas.
Theresa married Raymond H. Baumler June 24, 1940 in St. Lucas, and to this union 14 children were born. Together they farmed near St. Lucas for many years until Ray’s death. In 1982, she moved into Fort Atkinson.
Theresa will be remembered for her quilts, pot holders and for her baked goods, especially her homemade bread. She loved to play cards and Chinese checkers. She was a wonderful mother and her greatest joy was hearing her children laugh. Theresa was an active member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, St. John’s Catholic Church, and the Fort Atkinson Senior Citizen Club. In 2004, Theresa received the Governor’s Volunteer Award.
Theresa is survived by her 12 children, William Baumler of Ossian, Dale (Mick) Baumler of Anamosa, Dennis (Pat) Baumler of St. Lucas, Darlene (Gene) Olberding of Dyersville, Irene (Donald) Lynch of New Hampton, Daniel Baumler of St. Lucas, Glen (Hopper) Baumler of Fort Atkinson, Jay (Renee) Baumler of Irvine, CA, Leon (Gail) Baumler of St. Lucas, Ann (Dean) Schaufenbuel of St. Lucas, John (Anjie) Baumler of Buckner, MO and Terry (Carl) Schmitt of Fort Atkinson;  along with 35 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; her siblings, Carl Franzen, Irvin Franzen, Francis Franzen, Helen (Ronald) Palmersheim and LeRoy (JoAnn) Franzen; and her sisters-in-law, Marion Franzen and Eleanora Franzen.
Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Sr. and Kathrina (Boyer) Franzen; her husband, Raymond “Ray” Baumler, in 1981; two children, Theresa Ann in infancy in 1944 and Nancy Havel in 2007; three grandchildren, Sarah Olberding in 1979, Jeanna Lynch in 2007, and Joseph Baumler in 2010; one son-in-law, Joseph Schirmer in 1971; one daughter-in-law, Shirley Baumler in 1978; her siblings, Catherine (Roy) Tierney, Marie (Lawrence) Bruening, Leonard (Mary) Franzen, Raymond Franzen, Theckla Franzen in infancy, Louis (Arlene) Franzen, and Lawrence (Pat) Franzen; and her sister-in-law, Madeline Franzen.