Wilbur (Wib, Sonny) Baumann, 82, of Schofield, went to his heavenly home on May 26, 2014 to be with God and his son Gordy as well as many other relatives and friends. He passed peacefully at home under hospice care with his family by his side.
He was born to Wilbur and Francis (Walters) Baumann on the farm in the Town of Texas on May 7, 1932. He attended Husting School in the town of Texas through 8th grade and studied agriculture at the technical school for 4 years. Once he completed his education, Wib worked for the conservation department. It was during this time he met the love of his life, best friend and companion, Marilyn Kittel, daughter of Arthur and Selma (Beese) Kittel, at Litzer’s Hall in the Town of Hewitt. They loved to square dance at Litzer’s and continued to do so until he joined the Army in November 1952.
Wib and Marilyn were married on April 6, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in the Town of Hewitt before he was shipped off to the Korean War. He fought in Korea from April 1953 to June 1954. He was a Private First Class with the Infantry Division in Korea. He was then stationed in Fort Carson, CO, until he was discharged from active duty in November 1954. He was honorably discharged from standby reserve Feb. 28, 1961. In 2012, Wib was honored as a Korean Vet when he was a member of the Never Forgotten Honor Flight to Washington DC. This was a day he thoroughly enjoyed.
After his active service, Wib returned home and worked for the Stieber Dairy until going to work for the US Post Office in Wausau. He worked there 37 years, retiring in 1989. Wib was a hard working man and spent his life actively pursuing many positions. He tended bar at the Wausau Club, Elks Club, the Labor Temple, Nutterville Bar and the Evergreen Supper Club. He also owned and operated Baumann’s Bar on Highway 52 with his wife and family in the 1970s. After selling the bar, Wib and Marilyn tended bar at the Colonial Ballroom for 17 years.
After retiring from the Post Office, Wib went to work as a courier for Marathon County for 22 years. He and his wife managed the Deer Run Mobile Park in Merrill for 14 years. He also drove shuttle part-time for Brickner’s in Wausau.
Wib was not only dependable in his hired positions; he could also be counted on to volunteer as a member of many local agencies. He was a Life Honor Guard member of VFW Post 388, a member of the firing squad (Honor Guard), and a Town of Hewitt volunteer fireman for 19 years. In addition, Wib was a zoning administrator for the Town of Hewitt and for many years he was chairman of the board for Wausau Postal Employees Credit Union.
Wib pursued activities in his free time just as vigorously as he did when working and volunteering. Wib was spiritedly active. He played drums in a band with his brothers Jerry, Del and Allen. He played baseball at the Eau Claire Dells, sponsored a baseball team when he had the bar and attended many Brewer games. He was an outdoorsman and he enjoyed trapping, fishing, deer hunting with his family, water skiing and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed camping with his family and riding his motorcycle. One of his favorite spots to spend his free time was north of Tomahawk in his trailer at Little Rice Resort. There he pursued countless hours of four wheeling with his wife and the ATV club. He was an avid Packer fan. He also loved going to stock car races with his wife and children. He just bought a racecar for his granddaughter, Kendra, to race at State Park Speedway. Wib and Marilyn enjoyed traveling. Their favorite destinations were Prescott and Phoenix, AZ, where they visited family and friends.
His loving wife, Marilyn survives him. Together they enjoyed 61 wonderful years. He is also survived by his children: Sherry (Duane) Tietz, Randy (Paul Cybula) Baumann, Cindy (Judy Schraufnagel) Baumann, Scott (May Khang) Baumann, and Sheldon (Tina) Baumann; grandchildren: Christina (Corey) Sessions, Nick (Michelle) Baumann, Jessica (Eric) Pergolski, Amanda (Steve Zastrow) Baumann, Amber (Charlie) Emerson, Sean (Nicole) Baumann, Katrina (Tim Lownik) Baumann, Chelsey and Linsey (Matt Hubert) Baumann, Kayla and Kendra Baumann and many step grandchildren, great grandchildren and step great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Jerry (Betsy) Baumann, sisters-in-law Lois Tetzlaff, Beverly Onesti, Carol Oehlke, Mona (Mick) MIchlig, brothers-in-law Reggie (Linda) Kittel, and Jerry (Dorothy) Kittel. He is further survived by his extended family: Chong Tou Khang and Lou Vang, Lao Khang and Mao Vang, Eddie Khang, Vang and Yeng Yang, Steve and Chey Clark and their families. He is also survived by his godchildren: Robert Kittel, Aaron Baumann, and Todd Neitzke.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife’s parents, son Gordy and his wife Cheryl, brothers Allen and Delwaine and his wife Shirley, brothers-in-law Thomas Kittel, Chuck Oehlke, James Tetzlaff and Frank Onesti.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 930 Edgewood Rd., Wausau. Rev. Nancy Russell will officiate. Full military honors will follow. Friends may call Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the church and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of service.
The pallbearers are Sean Baumann, Nick Baumann, Charlie Emerson, Eric Pergolski, Robert Kittel, Aaron Baumann, Todd Neitzke and Eddie Khang. Honorary pallbearers will include friends from the Wausau Post Office and the Town of Hewitt Fire Department.
Thank you to Dr. Jeffrey Oswald and the staff at St Claire’s Hospital for their kind support. Special thanks to Terry and Cindy at Interim Healthcare for their excellent hospice care.
Wilbur is deeply loved by Marilyn and his family and will be sadly missed. He liked to tease and had a great sense of humor. He was always willing to help anyone and will forever be remembered for his kind heart. John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is helping with the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at [email protected].