Luree "Lou" Baumgartner

Luree “Lou” Baumgartner, age 97, of Bates Twp., MI, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Iron River Care Center. She was born on March 31, 1927, in Crystal Falls, MI, the daughter of the late Ralph and Emma (LaPlante) Waite. She attended the Bates and Iron River schools, graduating from Iron River High School with the Class of 1945. Lou married Adolph “Joe” Baumgartner on May 23, 1946, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Iron River, MI. The couple made their home in Bates Twp. and later moved to Milwaukee, WI. Following his retirement, the couple returned to the area and made their home in Bates Twp. They celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in 1993 and he preceded her in death on November 20, 1993. She was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian, MI and assisted with luncheons for many years. She loved to knit, crochet, bake, and spend time with her family. Lou is survived by her son, Robert (Mary) Baumgartner of Iron River; daughter, Nancy Baumgartner of New Berlin, WI; daughter-in-law, Chris (Nick) Pierquet; sister-in-law, Bernice Waite of Iron River, MI; grandchildren, Robby, Josh (Lauren), Beau (Nikki), and Nick Baumgartner, Ida (Todd) Foster, Barb (Rick) Grossmann, Sandi (Mike) Skoog, Dawn (Rich) Denis, William (Jenny) and Jason (Terry) Baumgartner; 24 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and extended family; and special friends, Darlene Bruno, Barb Gallagher, Drew Callas, Sharon Peterson, Tom Javoroski, and Geoff and Debbie Sitkoski. She was also preceded in death by her son, William Baumgartner; brothers, Meade and John “Jack” Waite and sisters, Lefe Groll, Shirley Degroot, Luella Baumann, Mary Olson, and Ina Webber. A visitation will be held on Monday, June 10, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian with Rev. Daniel Fosu to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff of the Iron River Care Center for their care during Lou’s stay. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Luree "Lou" Baumgartner, please visit our flower store.