Obituary of Esther Baumgarn

Memorial Tribute Esther Florence Maria (Kraft) Nagel - Baumgarn, the daughter of Anna (Dahnke) and George Kraft, was born in Wilson Township near Sibley, Iowa on August 3, 1911. She was baptized into the Christian faith on October 11, 1911 and was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in 1924. Her early adolescent years were spent near Manahga, MN where she attended two years of grade school. After Esther's father died when she was seven years old, she and the rest of the family moved to Hartley where she attended Hartley Public School until the 11th grade. On January 11, 1928, Esther was united in marriage to Peter Nagel in Spencer, Iowa. They lived their married life around the Hartley area, farming both north and south of town. Peter died on February 10, 1964. Esther married Joe Baumgarn on October 16, 1966 in Hartley, Iowa. The couple farmed north of Hartley until retiring and moving into Hartley. They continued living in Hartley, except for the 31 winters they spent in Weslaco, Texas. Joe passed away on April 15, 1977. In October of 2006, Esther moved to the Wellness Center in Hartley, and then to the Community Memorial Health Center in October of 2008. It was there that she passed away on January 22, 2009 at the age of 97. Esther was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. She enjoyed playing cards, dominoes and dancing. She always looked forward to winters in Texas, and spending time with her family and friends She is survived by her children: Ruth Meehlhause and her husband Marlin of Weslaco, TX, Luella Frick of Hartley, Dalorus Gaudian and her husband Willfred of Primghar, IA, Naoma Schoof of Sanborn, IA, Elmer Nagel and his wife, Nancy of Hartley, Lois Klatt and her husband Larry of Hartley; 20 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, four step-great-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, two sisters: Irma and Elsie, one brother Elmer, two sons-in-law and one grandson. In Remembrance of Esther Nagel - Baumgarn Born ~ August 3, 1911 Died ~ January 22, 2009 Age ~ 97 years 5 months 19 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 26, 2009 St. Paul's Lutheran Church Hartley, Iowa Clergy ~ Pastor David Ericksen Organist ~ Donna Ahlers Congregational Singing Processional ~ "In the Garden" "How Great Thou Art" #801 "The Old Rugged Cross" Recessional ~ "Softly and Tenderly" Pallbearers Donnie Frick Darwin Gaudian Jim Rubsam Steve Schoof Shawn Hubbard Rich Hansen Ushers Charles Schmidt Harvey Westerman Interment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa