Marguerite C. Baumgartner

Marguerite (LaVerdure, Korpela, Westphal)

Baumgartner passed away on March 13, 2024 at St Claires Hospital in Weston, WI from complications from a recent fall.

Born September 13, 1938 to Philip J. LaVerdure and Catherine “Kate” (Krpan) LaVerdure of Hurley, WI.

Marguerite aka Maggie attended J. E. Murphy High School, Hurley, WI. She would later attend NorthCentral Technical College in Wausau, WI.

In 1954 she married James Korpela. They had two children, Christine (Korpela) Bisgrove and Gregory Korpela. They divorced in 1969.

In 1970 she married her second husband Harvey Westphal. During this time they worked where the jobs took them. Maggie often joked about having moved over 30 times in her life. With that many moves, came many different jobs. Maggie primarily worked in fields of customer service and sales. Working at places such as Sears, Kmart, Shopko, Mary Kay, B&H Footwear, advertising agencies and multiple radio stations. Which led her to meet her radio idol, Paul Harvey in 1981.

In the 1980s, her grandchildren were born. With her life taking a dramatic turn in March of 1985 when Maggie adopted her Grandson Gregory Korpela Westphal Jr. She would end up divorcing Harvey in 1986, but stayed lifelong friends helping raise Greg Jr together.

Maggie married her third husband Carl Baumgartner on May 15, 1993. With both of them retired, they would move to Florence, WI. They enjoyed their time out in the woods, feeding the birds and deer, however Maggie preferred to be by the water. Her true passion was fishing. They then moved to a house on the Wolf River in Shawano. Maggie could fish with her grandchildren any time they wanted.

Maggie was also a talented crafter and quilter. Maggie loved changing the decorations in her house for every holiday. She was known for her Christmas trees. She made a feature newspaper article in 1983 for having three Christmas trees up in her Mosinee house with over 1000 handmade ornaments on them. She also won numerous 1st Place Medals at County Fairs over the State of Wisconsin and Michigan. Known for her button collection, she was given the nickname “The Button Lady” and enjoyed searching for new and special buttons at garage and rummage sales.

Maggie was very active in genealogy. With her siblings, they pursued the family records of the families as far back as the 1500’s. She has left a legacy of books for remaining relatives to have and view their heritage.

Survivors include: Daughter: Christine (Korpela) Bisgrove (Kenneth), Grandson: Nicolas Bisgrove (Maria) Great Grandson Jackson Bisgrove. She also has 2 granddaughters and 5 great grandchildren out of state. Additional survivors include Sister: Jeanette (LaVerdure) Maki – Gwinn, MI, Brother: Thomas (Nancy) LaVerdure Hurley, WI and many close cousins.

She was preceded in death by husbands Harvey Westphal and Carl Baumgarter, her son Gregory Korpela and Grandson Gregory Korpela Westphal and her brother-in-law Donald Maki.

The family wishes to thank all the doctors and nurses for their care, concern and help during Marguerite’s last days at St Claires Hospital.

Per Marguerite’s wishes there will be no funeral services, there will be a private family celebration of life at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, sympathy cards and online condolences can be viewed or sent to Maggie Baumgartner in care of “Helke Funeral Home 302 Spruce St. Wausau, WI 54401”.