Joyce E. Baumgart
Joyce attended school in New Lisbon. She was the 8th grade ping pong champion. In high school she played the clarinet in the band and played piano for boys, girls, and mixed choir. At the age of 17 she started playing the organ for the East Lemonweir Church until she married. Joyce loved to dance, her dance partner was John Belski, and they started dancing in the 6th grade and danced together until her wedding day. During the summers she would go to the Chicago Suburb and stay with her sister, Evelyn to work and make some money for her school clothes.
After high school she attended the Juneau County Teacher’s College. It was there that she met her husband Otto Baumgart. They both got their license and moved to Rochester, Wisconsin to start their careers in education. Her first teaching job was a one room schoolhouse called Pleasant View Elementary, where she taught all 8 grades. In 1963 they moved to Adams, Wisconsin when Otto took a job teaching 8th grade in the Adams Grade School. Joyce began teaching for the Adams-Friendship School District in 1967. When she started back teaching in Adams, she told her children Sherry and Scott, now remember I don’t only have you two, but 24 other children now. She was Title1 at Grand Marsh, Brooks and Castle Rock Grade Schools. Then she taught Kindergarten at Pineland and Roche-a-Cri, 8th grade at Castle Rock Grade School, 4th grade at Adams Grade School and Friendship Grade School. Her musical talent was admired when she and Bob Peligrin performed the Country Western Shows out at Castle Rock Grade School and when she had her 4th graders put on a Veterans Program for the veterans and community. She had a 30 year career in education.
It was in 1971 that Joyce received her Bachelor’s Degree from Stevens Point. It took her 15 years taking night classes, working full time and raising a family. She definitely was the example of perseverance.
Some of her past students have described her as one of their favorites. One stated that he didn’t realize it until he was older that she was firm, fair and direct and thinks of her fondly and frequently, especially now that he is close to 61 years of age. Another stated she showed empathy, compassion and made a difference to many students. When in public she loved running into her past students. They always approached her with respect and “Great to see you, Mrs. Baumgart” She felt her greatest achievement teaching was that her kindergartners were reading at the 1st grade level.
She did take a break from teaching for 2 years and was a social worker at Villa Pines Nursing Center in the 1970’s. Her love of teaching drew her back into that field.
She played organ for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adams from 1964 through the 1990’s and was also a Sunday school teacher.
In 1979 Joyce and Otto built their own home in which she still resided. She lost Otto after 26 years of marriage.
Joyce eventually met LeRoy (Shorty) Thompson and his son Tim. Joyce so enjoyed the spontaneity of adventures he brought to the relationship along with his kindness and love of life. They had 28 years together. Tim married Donna Thurber and with their daughter Cammie have always remained close.
Joyce’s love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren made her bust with pride. That love will never fade.
Joyce loved her dog Cuddles, she became her best friend and that dog made her laugh every day. Joyce enjoyed working in her yard picking up sticks, enjoying nature and riding her lawn mower taking care of her 6 lots.
She had great adventures traveling with Roberta Ebert upon retirement, going to dinner plays and bus trips and resale shopping with her daughter and visiting her son on his naval bases.
We extend love and gratitude to Cathy Barnes for always being available to our family anytime, to Jeff and Sandra Baumgartner and Vickie Totton for your 40+ years of love, friendship, cherished memories and laughter. Mark Hein the “prodigal” son who always found his home with us for security and stability. He brought so much laughter and adventures.
It was an early Sunday morning when Mark brought his younger sister to town for Sunday school, while waiting on her he made his way to the Baumgart house as usual made himself at home. He put on a pot of coffee. Otto and Joyce found themselves waking from their slumber to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. After asking one another if they had made it and realizing neither had they ventured out to the kitchen to find Mark enjoying a cup of coffee! He remarked “Good Morning!! I made you a pot of coffee!”
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34
So thankful to Mile Bluff Emergency Dept, her primary caregivers (Christine, Dr. Dan, Laura and Margaret), Mile Bluff Physical Therapy Dept (Rachel and Amber), Mile Bluff Audiology Dept (Colleen), Heartland Hospice (Laura, MJ, Ashley, Katie, and Anne).
Family members who preceded:
Otto Baumgart (spouse)
Allen Martin (Gladys) (brother and sister in law)
Glenn Martin (Maria) (brother and sister in law)
Evelyn Nelson (Raymond) (sister and brother in law)
LeRoy Thompson (significant other)
Edna Jensen (Richard) (sister in law and brother in law)
Jon Wilson (brother in law)
Mark Wilson (nephew)
Eric Nelson (nephew)
Survivors:
Sherry Baumgart (daughter), Adams, WI
Scott Baumgart (Sarah) (son), Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Scott Baumgart Jr. (Sarah) (grandson) Springfield, MO
Brystal Kondratuk (Nathan) (granddaughter) Brookings, SD
Lois Baumgart (great granddaughter) Springfield, MO
Otto Baumgart III (great grandson) Springfield, MO
Nora Kondratuk (great granddaughter) Brookings, SD
Ellie Joyce Kondratuk (great granddaughter) Brookings, SD
Isaac Kondratuk (great grandson) Brookings, SD
Tim Thompson (Donna) (stepson) Lyndon Station, WI
Cammie Thompson (stepgrandaughter) Lyndon Station, WI
Geraldine Rattunde (Carl) (sister in law and brother in law) Necedah, WI
Frances Wilson (sister in law) Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Richard Baumgart (Jeanne) (brother in law and sister in law) Necedah, WI
Other survivors include nieces and nephews and their children.
Memorial service will be 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9th, 2026 at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, WI 53934. Pastor Terri Skildum will officiate. Visitation will be on Saturday, May 9th from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at Bay View Cemetery in Necedah, Wisconsin at a later date.
Roseberry’s Funeral Home (www.roseberrys.com ) is assisting the family.
Sherry and Scott
So sorry to see this. Her and Mom had some good times at Pineland School.
Faye and Mom
You will be truly missed Joycie! So many great memories from Pine Street days to the present.My thoughts and prayers to Sherry and Scott. Hugs 💗
Sorry too hear about her passing my thoughts and prayers sent out to the family and friends my god bless them in this difficult time
Sherry and Scott, I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. She was hands down my favorite teacher, and my first. She was my Kindergarten teacher at Roche A Cri GS. I’ll never forget her. Later in life I had hurt my neck at work, and had to go see Sherry, and your Mom was the receptionist that day. I had to fill out some forms and she handed me the pen in my left hand and said” I remember you are left handed Freddy”. So I guess I must’ve made an impression on her as well hopefully it was a good one. You all have my family’s deepest sympathy. Fred, Debbie, Hunter and Ryan❤️🙏
Sherry, Scott, and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. What a lady Joyce was, so wity, so smart, great sense of humor, and a memory of everything. So enjoyable to talk to her, always so friendly and she always remembered us. Let all of your wonderful memories bring joy to your hearts, she’s watching over you and very proud. She was one of a kind. Friends, Dennis&Judy Allen
My prayers and condolences are with you .Sherry your mother was a model teacher, mom,and friend. She is with the good lord,and Otto now. She will be greatly missed. Friends always
Our sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved Mother. Joyce was a fun loving lady and she will be missed by many. Sending hugs and prayers for her family.
I am so very very sorry for your family’s loss. Prayers and thoughts. She was a good teacher and person to talk to when I would come over to see her and Leroy.
Sherry, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s hard to lose your mom, I know. But it looked like you two had some great adventures to remember. What a great lady! God bless you and your family.
Very sorry to hear about Joyce’s passing. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. She really was a great teacher and my favorite one. I had seen a few times since I became an adult and she was always so happy to see me as well.
We are so sorry Sherry. I loved her she was so fun. You have her laugh.
So very sorry for your loss. I first met your mom at a country western show at Castle Rock. So much fun! What a vibrant and special lady. 💕
My deepest sympathy !!!! Joyce was always so kind and caring and so much fun!! She will be deeply missed!!’
Dearest Sherry, Scott & Family… Dan and I are so sorry for the loss of your Mother… I pray that Our Lord wraps his arms around all of You at this difficult time. Loved seeing all the Facebook Posts of You and Your Mom. She was so loved and you were so blessed to have her as your Mom…. A wonderful example of what a gifted Educator could and should be! ❤️🙏🏼
So sorry for your loss. I loved chatting with Joyce. She was a great lady and will be missed.
Sherry and Scott so sorry for the loss of you Mom. She was a special lady. She always had a smile on her face. Many great memories. She will be greatly missed. Thoughts and Prayers to you and your families.
Sherry, Scott, and family,
Your mom was a wonderful lady and a great teacher. I will miss seeing her. My deepest symptoms.
💔 for All family, Friends & anyone who had the pleasure of her company if only briefly. very kind, happy lady. Memories live on forever. hugs to all
So sorry for your loss! She will be missed by many people!
Sherry so very sorry for the loss of your Mom. I so loved seeing and hearing all the fun stories you shared of her, Its so very hard to loose our Moms but the two of you were so very blessed to have each other
Sherry and Scott,
I am so sorry for your loss, Your mother was a wonderful person
So sorry to hear. She was my kindergarten teacher at Pineland & one of my favorites! Many memories of her playing the piano & singing with us.
Sherry and family your Mom As had smile. I so enjoy visiting with Joyce.
So sorry for your loss. She is an amazing person.
So sorry to hear of Joyce’s passing. My sympathy to you all
So sorry for your loss, she was a good teacher and friend outside of school.
Joyce was such a kind woman and pretty darn wise. My husband Mark, and I enjoyed anytime we had a chance to spend a little time talking with her. Mark has told me that Joyce and Otto were a sense of security in his life as a young man. Sherry and the rest of the family, I’m very sad for your loss. Joyce will be missed. She lived a meaningful impactful life and I’m s grateful I had the opportunity to know her.
Sherry & Scott,
I’m truly sorry for your loss. I will always have wonderful memories of Joyce, she definitely had a part in raising me and the rest of the Pine Street gang ❤️. She will always be Joycie to me. Hugs,
Paula Hamman
Sherry and Scott, sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to all of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Great lady. She will be missed.
My condolences to the family. What a gracious wonderful women. What wonderful memories I have of your parents.
So sorry for your loss. I will always have fond memories of my very first teacher (Kindergarten at Pineland). Rest in Peace Mrs Baumgart.
To the family,
Sincerest sympathy. What a long life well lived with kindness and so much fun humor!
May the great memories help ease your grief.
Love & prayers for you ,
Dawn Stone
To the family, so sorry for your loss of your mom. Our condolences 🙏 ❤️❤️
Sherry, Scott, & family. So sorry to hear about Joyce’s passing. I remember having her as a teacher at Castle Rock Grade School. I believe her father may have substituted at Castle Rock too. They were both very nice. I remember seeing her at Mound View Golf Course, several years ago. Joe Thiesen & I had our picture taken with her. We both had her as a teacher. Always remember the good times & treasure them. The memories will help thru the difficult times. You are in my prayers & God Bless.
Sherry, Scott and families. So sorry for your loss. Your mom was a wonderful person. She would always say hi to a person when you would see her out and about. Remember all the good times you had and share them frequently. Sincere condolences to you and yours. God bless and R.I.P. Joyce.
What a fun-loving, kind-hearted lady Joyce was! From her quick wit to that mischievous twinkle in her eyes, it was always a treat to run into her! We were friends for over 50 years, as well as colleagues. She loved the fact that we each traded our Scotties in our classrooms! Sending loving hugs of sympathy and support to all of you!
Sherry and Scott you and your dear mother are in my thoughts.
Enjoy the comforting memories.
So sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed visiting with Joyce at the Martin Family Reunion (George Martin, Clarence Martin, Ralph Martin-daughter).
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was a fantastic teacher and a sweet lady.
She will be missed.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your mother..You always spoke so very highly of her and she seemed like a wonderful and sweet lady..May she rest in the loving arms of our Father..Blessings to You all
Shari and Scott. Mary Ann and I were saddened to read of Joyce’s passing. We are currently living in Ogden Utah and won’t be able to attend services. She was so much fun to talk to and be around. We pray all is well with you.
My condolences to the Bumgart family. A great loss to the commuswell. well.
Sherry and Scott you have my sincere condolences on the loss of your mom. Keeping the entire family in my thoughts and prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻.
Sherry, Scott and families, we are so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was such a kind, sweet person. It was always such fun to visit with her. You must have so many special memories to hold dear.
I’m so very sorry on your loss. Hold those memories close and share them as often as you can. May God family and friends comfort you during this difficult time.
Sherry, Scott and families:
So very sorry for your loss. Your mother has always been such an incredible lady! May her love and pride in all of you bring you comfort in the days ahead.
My sincere condolences to the family. Your mom brought so much kindness and joy to the world. I loved reconnecting with her in our Strong Bodies exercises classes. She will be missed!!
Sorry for your loss. Sending prayers.
Scott and Sherry,
My sincere condolences on the loss of your dear mother. You are all in my prayers. The education community in Adams was so tight-knit in the 1960s and 1970s. It was a wonderful time. Sherry, I’ve enjoyed following your recent adventures with your mother on social media. Love to all.
Sherry: What a super fun lady. She taught my kids and everyone loved her. Remember all the good times and God Bless.
Sherry and Scott so sorry for your loss.. she was a great lady.. she will be missed