Evelyn Baumann

Evelyn Helen Baumann, 91, Wausau, peacefully died at her home with her family by her side on Monday, October 2, 2017.

Evelyn was born March 26, 1926 in Wausau to the late Otto and Ethel (Jester) Kalinke. She proudly graduated from Wausau High School and went on to become the first woman to work for 3M in Wausau. Following World War II, Evelyn reconnected with Leslie Baumann and the two were united in marriage on August 24, 1946. The couple was blessed with two children; Janice and Keith. For 32 years, Evelyn worked as a secretary for 3M before going on to work in the student services department of the University of Wisconsin Marathon County for the next 20 years, finally retiring in 1983.

There are so many admirable qualities of Evelyn: empathetic, optimistic, humble and patriotic just to name a few. Evelyn was a woman who deeply loved life and found the good in all things. She often shared her positive outlook of life with family and friends encouraging them on to better things. Evelyn was the “youngest” 91 year old around, wading into crowds of strangers with the uncanny ability to relate to everyone she met and coming away with her new found friends affectionately referring to her simply as “Grandma”.

A staunch Republican, Evelyn faithfully listened to her beloved Rush Limbaugh everyday for three hours on her iPad until her last day. She easily adapted to changing technology, quickly becoming a self-professed political news junkie while surfing the internet. In June of 2016 Evelyn won the Jefferson Award for volunteering 17,000 hours by knitting nearly 600 prayer shawls for the sick and dying. She was quoted at the time saying “It’s been a good life. I am 90 years old, but it feels like I can still do something.” In her free time, Evelyn enjoyed watching NASCAR and attending races and being the official family dog sitter as well as the family photographer.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Janice (Neil) Gulsvig and Keith (Jennifer) Baumann both of Wausau; grandchildren, Brenda Reiche of Wausau, Cris (Paula) Trantow of Wausau, Cara Baumann of Fort Myers, FL, Hannah Baumann of Wausau, Chris (Amy) Gulsvig of Wausau and Justin (Missy) Hocking of Wausau; great-grandchildren, Rylee Reiche of Minneapolis, MN, Will Reiche of Wausau, Jordan Trantow of Wausau, Brody Trantow of Wausau and Lili Gulsvig of Wausau; and extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, Leslie and sister, Muriel Wincentsen.

The funeral service of Evelyn will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 6, 2017 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wausau. Pastor Kemp Jones will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at helke.com.

Memorials may be directed to the family for a future charitable donation.

Mom - Thank you for all your love and lessons through the years, you will forever be in our hearts.







Evelyn's Memorial Folder