Richard “Dick” A. Baumgarten, age 87, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Serenity House in Tomah, WI, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 7, 1938, in Tomah, WI on the family farm to Lyle and Marge (Fenske) Baumgarten. He was very proud to be born and retire on the farm.
Dick was united in marriage on September 19, 1964 to Sandra L. Schultz at St. James Catholic Church in Wausau, Wisconsin. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2024, surrounded by close friends and family.
Dick served in the Army National Guard of Wisconsin, completing a year of active duty at Fort Lewis in Washington State. Dick and Sandy moved from Wausau to Tomah in 1964 to begin and build their life together. He worked for 47 years at First Bank of Tomah and F&M Bank; where he formed many lifelong friendships with his bank colleagues and clients. Dick also served 27 years as the town of Tomah treasurer, and over 50 years as the Knights of Columbus treasurer. He was strong and devout in his Catholic faith, and was a proud and active long-time member of Queen of the Apostles Parish as well as the KC’s in Tomah.
Dick and Sandy enjoyed traveling over the years, to Italy and cruising the North Atlantic on the Regent Sun. They also traveled on the Princess Cruise Line to Alaska, the Panama Canal, and South America. They took motor coach train trips including Branson, Missouri, and other parts of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Dick is survived by his son, Kurt (Kathleen) Baumgarten; daughter, Lori (Randy) Scott; grandchildren, Derrick (Yen) Scott, Shelby (Cody) Stone, Mariah (Daniel) Riese, Jacob Fredricks, and Zeke Fredricks; great grandchildren, Sam Scott, Hallie Stone, Scottie Stone, Jamie Riese, and Colby Riese; sister, Doris Hall; brothers, Bill (Tereza) Baumgarten, Bert (Cheryl) Baumgarten, and Tom Baumgarten; along with numerous nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Baumgarten in February of 2025; along with his parents, Lyle and Marge Baumgarten; brothers, John “Jack” Baumgarten and Paul (Julaine) Baumgarten; sister-in-law, Lynn Baumgarten; and brother-in-law, Oris Hall.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Tomah. Father Ethan Hokamp will officiate. Dick will be laid to rest in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with full military honors in Tomah, following the funeral mass. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a rosary beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Additional visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dick’s memory may be given to the Queen of the Apostles School Endowment Fund or to Hospice Touch of Tomah.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah
