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NEWS
Theodore M Baumgartner, 90, of Fort Collins, CO passed away peacefully, with his wife of 70 years by his side on December 16, 2022.
He was born on July 30, 1932 in Milwaukee, WI to Otto and Rose Wagner who both died in Ted’s youth. He was adopted and lovingly raised by Mary Baumgartner. Ted married his high school sweetheart, Carol Kallas, on July 26, 1952 at Mother of Good Council Parish in Milwaukee.
A 1951 graduate of Milwaukee’s Messmer High School, Ted earned an Associated degree from UWM, and later, a BS degree in Management from Cardinal Stritch College in 1986. He enjoyed a rewarding career in Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering and Management at Harnishfeger Corp, Louis Allis Corp, Logemann Brothers, Johnson Brass and Machine Co, and Allis Chalmers Corp. With the Allis Chalmers’ bankruptcy, Ted was appointed Vice President of Operations responsible for liquidation of assets and redevelopment of the former Allis Chalmers properties into the West Allis Center, a commercial office and industrial complex. He obtained his Commercial Real Estate license and continued to manage the Allis Chalmers properties for the Whitnall Summit Company until his retirement.
A lifelong sports fan, Ted played semi-pro basketball and other sports, and later had the joy of coaching his children and grandchildren. He was actively involved in his church and various civic organizations. He was a volunteer instructor for AARP Driving Program, and a proud member of the Gesangverein Concordia German singing society. Ted and Carol lived in Menomonee Falls, WI for many years, relocated to Sheboygan, WI upon Ted’s retirement, and finally settled in Fort Collins, CO in 2021.
Ted’s family was his greatest love and legacy. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Baumgartner; son, Thomas (Julie) Baumgartner; and daughter, Judith (Brian) Lukach; grandsons, Timothy Baumgartner, Daniel (Jess) Baumgartner, Kevin (Sarah) Baumgartner, Stephen Lukach, and Maxwell Lukach; great-grandchildren, Elea and Tash Baumgartner, and Thea Baumgartner; and many other relatives and lifelong friends.
Ted was preceded in death by his son, Richard Baumgartner; biological parents, Otto and Rose Wagner; adoptive mother, Mary Baumgartner; sister, Tillie Hebel, and foster siblings, Lawrence Baumgartner, Francis Sommer, and Margaret Wilke.
We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year in 2023. Please enjoy watching this video that we created.
To listen to the audio be sure to click on the two little eighth notes in the bottom right hand corner of the screen.
On Saturday, April 23, 2022, Concordia Gesangverein participated in the Kommers Competition in Kenosha, WI with the other six German Choirs of Wisonsin and was awarded 2nd place in the competition. Below is a video of our two songs that we sang in the competition.
To hear the audio, click on the double eight notes in the corner of the screen.
Here are some photos from our April 9th, 2022 performance at the Plymouth Art Center where we sang and gave a historical presentation on our 162 years as a Singing Society in Sheboygan.
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